Nine Senators And Reps Sacked As Election Petition Tribunals Race Against Time

Eko Hot Blog reports that Nine members of the National Assembly, including Senators and House of Representatives members, have been unseated by election petition tribunals across different states.

The rulings, which were handed down in recent weeks, have triggered celebrations among the victors, while the ousted politicians are determined to appeal the verdicts in higher courts.

As these legal battles unfold, dozens of judges assigned to cases across Nigeria are racing against time to meet the deadline set by the amended Electoral Act of 2022. This act mandates that cases filed in March must be heard and resolved within a 180-day timeframe, ending on September 16.

This sense of urgency has put legislators with pending court cases in a state of uncertainty, impacting their focus on national legislative duties.

“It is very difficult to focus on my legislative work when I have a pending court case,” said one lawmaker who was recently unseated. “I am constantly worried about the outcome of the case and how it will affect my career.”

The tribunals, operating in various states, have not only removed some lawmakers from office but have also invalidated their Certificates of Return issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In certain instances, the courts have declared elections inconclusive, necessitating reruns within 90 days, or disqualified candidates who had initially been declared winners.

As more judgments are expected in the days ahead, at least nine lawmakers have already been unseated across states like Benue, Delta, Kogi, Lagos, Kano, Bayelsa, and Abia. This is taking a toll on elected officials, dividing their attention between legislative responsibilities and legal battles.

“It is a very difficult situation for everyone involved,” said one lawyer who is involved in several election petition cases. “The lawmakers are under a lot of pressure, and the judges are under a lot of pressure to meet the deadline.”

Nine members of the National Assembly, including Senators and House of Representatives members, have been unseated by election petition tribunals across different states.

The rulings, which were handed down in recent weeks, have triggered celebrations among the victors, while the ousted politicians are determined to appeal the verdicts in higher courts.

As these legal battles unfold, dozens of judges assigned to cases across Nigeria are racing against time to meet the deadline set by the amended Electoral Act of 2022. This act mandates that cases filed in March must be heard and resolved within a 180-day timeframe, ending on September 16.

This sense of urgency has put legislators with pending court cases in a state of uncertainty, impacting their focus on national legislative duties.

The tribunals, operating in various states, have not only removed some lawmakers from office but have also invalidated their Certificates of Return issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In certain instances, the courts have declared elections inconclusive, necessitating reruns within 90 days, or disqualified candidates who had initially been declared winners.

As more judgments are expected in the days ahead, at least nine lawmakers have already been unseated across states like Benue, Delta, Kogi, Lagos, Kano, Bayelsa, and Abia. This legal turmoil is taking a toll on elected officials, dividing their attention between legislative responsibilities and legal battles.

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