Elections: Attorney General opposes use of PVCs only

In an affidavit deposed to on his behalf before a Federal High Court in Abuja by one Lawrence Illop, a civil litigation assistant in the Ministry of Justice, the AGF stated that the election “is likely to be unsuccessful if rigid use of the Permanent Voters’ Card is carried out.”He further avers that: “I know […]

In an affidavit deposed to on his behalf before a Federal High Court in Abuja by one Lawrence Illop, a civil litigation assistant in the Ministry of Justice, the AGF stated that the election “is likely to be unsuccessful if rigid use of the Permanent Voters’ Card is carried out.”
He further avers that: “I know as a fact that it will be in the interest of free, fair, peaceful and credible elections if all willing and eligible Nigerians are given opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to vote in the 2015 elections.
“That INEC as a result of non-effective distribution of Voters’ Card has extended time for collection of Voters’ card till 8th March, 2015.”
The document is a counter affidavit in response to an originating summons brought by the Society For Advancement and Protection of Public Rights (SAPPR) which is seeking to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from using the PVC and card reader for the forthcoming elections.
Justice Abdulkadir Abdulkafarati had on Monday admitted the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and a non-governmental organisation, Fiscal and Civil Rights Enlightenment Foundation, as parties in the suit.
The judge further directed SAPPR to amend their originating motion to include the new parties in the suit. Only INEC and the AGF were initially joined as defendants.
While making applications to be joined in the matter, defence counsels Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), J. A. Adepipe (SAN) and M.S. Ibrahim, all contended that the issues raised in the originating motion are serious and could affect the conduct of the general elections.
In the motion brought by its counsel Nnadi Ositadinma (SAN), SAPPR is also seeking an “order of interlocutory injunction restraining NEC from preventing every eligible and willing Nigerian who has any Voter’s Card issued by INEC, to vote at the 2015 general elections.”  The suit is slated to continue on March 18.