BEVERLY HILLS, March 27, (THEWILL) – A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed April 25 to deliver judgment in the suit by Accord Party (AP) challenging the legitimacy of the attempt by the National Assembly to reorder the schedule of the 2019 general elections.
The presiding judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed gave the date on Tuesday after entertaining arguments from parties concerned in the suit.
AP, in the suit filed on March 7, is seeking a declaration that the amendment to the Electoral Act 2010 (introducing a new Clause 25) just passed by the National Assembly, which prescribes the order in which the general elections should take place, has interfered with the power, right and discretion of INEC generally and, in particular, in respect of the schedule or sequence of the 2019 general elections.
It is also praying for an order setting aside Clause 25 of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018; an order of perpetual injunction restraining the President from assenting to the Bill, and an order restraining the National Assembly from passing into law by a two-thirds majority, or any majority at all, the Bill as it has already been passed.
The National Assembly, represented by Joseph Daudu (SAN), urged the court to decline jurisdiction and dismiss the suit.
However, the plaintiff, represented by Wole Olanipekun (SAN); Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami (SAN) and INEC, represented by Femi Falana (SAN), urged the court to grant the plaintiff’s reliefs.
