The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it cannot allow Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), inspect election materials unless the commission recieves the court order that granted him the permission to do so.
Rotimi Oyekanmi, spokesman of INEC chairman, made the clarification on Sunday following allegation by the PDP that the electoral umpire is denying Atiku access to the election materials despite a court order.
Mr. Oyekanmi assured however that INEC will comply with the court directive “if and when the commission receives the order”.
He added, “It is common knowledge that since the declaration of the results of the presidential election, the commission has been busy with the multiple activities associated with the national assembly, governorship, state houses of assembly and federal capital territory elections.
“Only last Thursday, the commission presented certificates of return to senators-elect and house of representatives members-elect, including PDP members.
“Nevertheless, the commission will comply when the due process is followed.”
Atiku is challenging in court the declaration of President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the February 23 presidential election.
As a first step, the Election Tribunal had granted the PDP presidential candidate, based on his application, permission to inspect materials used for the election.
However, PDP spekesman, Kola Ologbondiyan had alerted the nation that despite being served with the order, INEC denied Atiku access to the materials.
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