Punch reports that officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission were at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, on Tuesday, to serve the embattled lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Senator Dino Melaye, the petition by his constituents to recall him. The officials, however, met Melaye’s office (Room 2.13, New Building, Senate Wing) locked.
Our correspondent sighted his aides, who could have received the notice on his behalf, around the Senate chamber. Four ‘Ghana-Must-Go’ bags, believed to be containing the recall documents and court papers, were sighted at the door to the office. While some of the INEC officials waited at Melaye’s door, others took positions at various entrances between the office and the Senate chamber.
While the officials waited, Melaye was in the chamber for the day’s plenary. The senator, however, hurriedly left the chamber at about 1.45pm, while the session was ongoing, rushed into a waiting car at the main entrance of the complex – the closest to the chamber – and drove off. Some of the officials around the chamber failed in their bid to meet up with Melaye.
In a WhatsApp message to our correspondent later, Melaye said, “Appeal properly entered and all records of proceedings at the lower court transferred to the Court of Appeal. Nail on INEC.”