Bye-election: Ex-Federal lawmaker writes INEC over delay in conduct of election

Former member representing Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Lumumba Dah Adeh has written to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu and expressed dismay over delay to conduct the Irigwe/Rukubu State Constituency bye election which has been Vacant since March, 2022.

Hon. Adeh who is a strong APC stakeholder in Plateau State in a letter written to INEC dated 14th October, 2022 and a copy made available to our correspondent in Jos, said the delay in conducting the bye-election has deprived his constituency of representation and its benefits.

“May I draw the attention of Mr Chairman to the above subject matter and to also note that it has remained vacant for well over six months now.

“Following the resignation of the former member, the seat was consequently declared vacant by the Plateau State House of Assembly and INEC duly notified on March 22, 2022.

“We the constituents had hinged our hopes on the constitutional provisions to prepare for a bye election within the stipulated time only to soon realize that your commission was not willing to immediately help fill the vacancy.

“It is obvious that not conducting the bye-election has deprived our constituency of representation and its benefits.

“You will recall that this is also a part of the Bassa/Jos North federal constituency which had suffered a similar fate only this year when we waited for almost one year for a bye- election (held on February 28, 2022) to fill up the vacant seat after the death of our member in April, 2021.

“We are however not unaware that force majeure could cause a delay or inhibit your constitutional duties. But I note with all sense of responsibility that insecurity which could have been a ready excuse was not tenable because the constituency and indeed the state has enjoyed relative peace and calm since 2021; hence the peaceful and successful conduct of the Bassa/Jos North federal constituency election in February 2022.

“This delay and its attendant deprivation has caused us the constituents a lot of concern and pain which has led to a high level of apprehension in view of the realization that the conduct of a bye-election may soon become constitutionally out of time.

The Former Lawmaker said unless there is any reason which the INEC needs to tell the world, but he call on the INEC Chairman to use his good offices to cause for the Irigwe/Rukuba State constituency bye-election to be conducted soonest please.