Only court can save Atiku, says INEC reported by Musikilu Mojeed and Sola Fabiyi of PUNCH NEWSPAPER

Summary

Vice-President Atiku's fate on contesting for Presidency lies in the hands of the judiciary. Speaking on Atiku's fate, the Chairman of the Information and Publicity Committee of INEC, Mr. Phillip Umeadi Jnr according to Musikilu Mojeed and Sola Fabiyi's report, said that "issues concerning the vice-president‘s participation in the election were still in the court and decisions could not be taken on them until an order came from the court".

Mr Umeadi also told journalists that according to the Section 35 (5) of the Electoral Act permits INEC the right to exclude a candidate‘s name from the list of those contesting an election.



Issues

The main issue is that V.P Atiku's fate lies in the judicary. Although constitutionally, NEC has the right to exclude a candidate's name, but still these matter should be well investigated. The dispute between President Obasanjo and Atiku might be responsile for the on-going effort of trying to dis-qualify AD party's presidential ambition to the advantage of PDP.


Significance of issues

Only the judiciary has the constitutional right to allow or dis-allow Atiku from contesting for Presidency.










full story: http://punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20070314221460