From Kayode Abdulazeez, Ilorin
An Ilorin high court backed All Progressives Congress (APC) executive in Kwara State led by Ishola Balogun-Fulani has alleged Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of biasness by recognizing Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa led executive faction during the peace accord signing that took place at INEC Ilorin office recently.
Ishola Balogun-Fulani also condemned action of INEC in recognizing candidates submitted to INEC by Bashir Bolarinwa faction from governorship to National Assembly despite standing court order that declared them illegitimate which has not been upturned by any superior court
Balogun- Fulani said his party viewed the INEC’s action as tantamount to disobeying the court judgment affirming him as authentic state chairman of APC.
He added: “The release of the candidate’s lists of 17th January, 2019 indicates that Bolarinwa faction’s candidates were listed; even though with’ court ordered’ indicated against their names.
“The whole World is however to be made aware that there has not been any court sitting in Ilorin where any order of court has been made to counter the judgment of Kwara state High Court of 19th December, 2018 in favour of Balogun- Fulani led executive which makes the dropping of candidates produced by Balogun- Fulani led executive most condemnable, highly suspicious and a product of pre- arrangement between INEC and Bolarinwa led faction.
“Kwara APC viewed this action as tantamount to disobeying court judgment. It is on record that court judgment on Rivers APC crisis was fully obeyed by INEC but the same INEC fragrantly disobeyed the court judgment in the case of Kwara state APC.”
Balogun- Fulani warned that the action of INEC is capable of generating unnecessary anxiety, tension, provocation and breakdown of law and order.
According to him, “It is in the public knowledge that INEC chairman categorically, in electronic media affirmed the readiness of INEC to obey all court judgements and orders including the judgement of Kwara state High Court delivered on 19th December 2018 which affirmed Balogun- Fulani state executive and all actions taken by his executive including nomination of candidates for 2019 general elections”
He stressed that, “the present attitude of INEC chairman and the entire INEC in turning around to deal with Bolarinwa executive and accept candidates present by them amounts to summersault and open display of bias and flagrant disobedience of lawful order of court”
The APC chairman added that, “This act of double standard on the part of INEC, despite the promises and public pronouncement made by INEC national chairman to obey all court judgements is unacceptable .
“Kwara state APC hereby enjoins INEC to do the needful so as to avoid seeking further legal redress because kwara state APC led by Ishola Balogun-Fulani is law abiding and will continue to ventilate their grievances through court process rather than taking law into their hands which Bolarinwa faction is used to.
