Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) thursday wrote to the senator representing Kogi West senatorial district, Senator Dino Melaye, to inform him that it would commence the process of recalling him by July 3.
The commission said it had formally acknowledged the receipt of the petition from the petitioners’ representatives and had conveyed a letter notifying Melaye of the receipt of such petition.
In a statement signed by the National Commissioner and member, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mallam Mohammed Haruna, INEC said having received the petition and the signatures of the electorate, the next step is to verify that the petitioners are registered voters in the Kogi West senatorial district.
The statement read: “INEC held its regular weekly meeting today and considered the petition submitted by some registered voters from Kogi West senatorial district to kick-start the process of recalling Melaye.
“In accordance with the INEC guidelines for the recall of members of the National Assembly, the commission has formally acknowledged the receipt of the petition to the petitioners’ representatives and has conveyed a letter notifying Melaye of our receipt of the petition.
“The next step is to verify that the petitioners are registered voters in the Kogi West senatorial district.
“INEC will on July 3, 2017 issue a public notice stating the day(s), time, location and other details for the verification exercise.â€
Electorate from the Kogi West senatorial district had stormed the INEC headquarters last Wednesday to submit their petition against Melaye.
Addressing journalists after their meeting with INEC chairman, Olowo Cornelius told journalists that they have been able to gather 52.3 per cent more than the constitutionally required 50.1 per cent signatories.
However, reacting to the INEC’s state in a text message to THISDAY said he had not received any form of communication from the commission.
