House Warns FG Against Removing Jega, Tampering g With Fixed Election Dates

From:	Ladun Liadi

The House of Representatives on Tuesday, 3^rd of March, 2014 had warned the Federal Government against tampering with the already fixed election dates, particularly the removal of the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega.

In a resolution in Abuja, the House drew the attention of the political class, the Federal Government, State Governments and security agencies to warnings of unavoidable violence already issued by eminent Nigerians and groups, both on the international and local scenes. During yesterday's plenary, lawmakers also warned that persons whose actions would lead to violence must be held accountable at all judicial levels.

Part of their resolution read, "Hold personally accountable at domestic judicial forum or at the International Court of Justice, any persons or organisations that foist on INEC any decision or action whatsoever, including unconstitutional attempt to remove the current INEC chairman, that has the effect of making it impracticable for elections to hold on 28th March and 11th April, 2015."

"Such removal can only be achieved when two things happen, viz, (a) his inability to discharge the functions of the office, or (b) for misconduct, as determined by two-thirds of the Senate," the resolution added.