The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it would effect the Supreme Court ruling on the Bayelsa governorship election once it is served with the certified true copy of the judgment.
The National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, Festus Okoye, said this on Thursday in Abuja.
Okoye said while the INEC was bound to obey court orders and judgments including that of the Supreme Court, the commission could not act base on reports from radio or newspapers.
He said, “It is when we receive the certified true copy of the judgment that we have a clear understanding of what the court tells us to do and we will give effect to the judgment of the Supreme Court.
”All we have heard and seen as of today are just newspaper reports. We are waiting for our lawyers who are part of the proceedings and certified true copy of the judgment to enable us to study and give effect to it.
“INEC has no power not to implement the judgment of the Supreme Court. We are waiting for the certified copy of the judgment so that we can give effect to what the apex court wants us to do.
“We don’t have any personal interest in the judgment of the Supreme Court. Our interest and competence are just to give effect to the judgment,” Okoye said.
The Supreme Court on Thursday sacked David Lyon and Sen. Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo as governor-elect and deputy governor-elect in the November 16, 2019, governorship election in Bayelsa State.