INEC halts activities except preparations for Ondo, Edo governorship polls
The Chief Justice Tanko Muhammad on Monday directed the suspension of judicial activities in courts nationwide, beginning from today.
Muhammad, in a statement by the spokesman for the Supreme Court, Dr. Festus Akande, said the need to urgently halt court sittings was informed by the glaring threat of the COVID- 19 pandemic.
He noted that the reality of the COVID-19 was already being felt in the country and hence the need to take further preventive steps.
Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Mrs. Hadizatu Uwani Mustapha, in compliance with the CJN’s directive ordered the suspension of regular sittings at the apex court.
“My Lord, the honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria has directed that, in view of the way people get infected with coronavirus and the way counsel and parties come to the Supreme Court everyday from various cities and states, it has become imperative that further regular sittings of the court should be suspended.
“In the circumstances, further sittings of the Supreme Court are hereby suspended from Tuesday (today),the 24th Day of March. 2020, until further notice.
“However, judgments and rulings of the court shall be delivered as already adjourned. This circular is for general information and strict compliance,” said Mustapha in a statement.
Similarly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday suspended activities as part of efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The commission said in a statement that the measure was taken in line with the advisory on social distancing from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
However, INEC clarified that the preparations for Ondo and Edo states governorship polls will not be affected by the suspension.
INEC’s commissioner for information and voter education Mr. Festus Okoye said the suspension which takes effect from today (Tuesday) will initially last for 14 days.
He said the regular quarterly meetings with stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organisations, media, and security a will not hold until when normalcy returns.
Okoye said the commission will no longer monitor the conventions, congresses, conferences or meetings of political parties until further notice.
“The Commission reiterates its commitment to openness, consultation and continued communication with its stakeholders and expects all to understand the emergency situation that informed the suspension of contact engagements. The health and wellbeing of all our staff, officials and the general public are of paramount importance to us.
“Notwithstanding the measures outlined above, the Commission will continue to meet via non-physical contact channels while communication between the Commission and its stakeholders will remain open.
“For emphasis, the new measures taken do not affect the activities for Edo and Ondo governorship elections scheduled for 19th September and 10th October 2020 respectively.
“We will continue to keep the public abreast of developments as they concern our electoral process,” he stated.
