The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied reports that it rejected Edison Ehie’s resignation as a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Naijaonpoint understands that there have been news circulating on social media that the electoral body rejected Ehie’s resignation, citing remarks attributed to the Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Gabriel Yomere, during an engagement with the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC).
The reports also claimed that INEC declined to initiate a by-election to replace Ehie.
However, speaking via a statement, the Acting Head of Voter Education and Publicity at the Rivers State INEC office, Geraldine Ekelemu, stated that it cannot declare a legislative seat vacant in its own.
The Commission clarified that the power to organise any election lies solely with its national headquarters.
INEC added that the conduct of a bye-election can only follow receipt of a formal notice from the appropriate constitutional authority.
It explained that the REC’s comments during the IPAC meeting were misconstrued as an official policy statement.
“Once it has been signed and transmitted by the authorised legislative authority and in this case, Rivers State House of Assembly, the Commission will commence the processes required to conduct a bye-election in line with constitutional provisions and the Electoral Act,” the statement added.
The then Victor Oko-Jumbo faction of the State Assembly had earlier declared Ehie’s seat vacant following his resignation.
However, the Supreme Court later ruled that the Oko-Jumbo-led Assembly was illegal.
This development implies that Ehie remains a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
For his resignation to be valid, he would have to submit a fresh letter to the Assembly under the leadership of Martin Amaewhule, which would then be transmitted to INEC for the conduct of a bye-election in Ahoada East Constituency II.
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