Nigerian National Assembly is to appeal the Federal High Court’s judgement nullifying the clause 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022.
The lawmakers also urged the Attorney General of the Federation to stay action on the Judgment pending the all issues surrounding the issue are settle.
These were part of the prayers of a motion unanimously adopted on the floor of the two chambers on the urgent need to appeal the judgement of the Federal High Court Umuahia as well as the one seeking for the stay of action on the court ruling, pending the conclusion of appeal on the matter.
While describing the Court decision as condemnable and affront to the constitution, the National Assembly it to also write a formal complaint to the National Judicial Council.
The judgment according to the lawmakers was reached without due consideration of the constitutional interpretation of section 318 of the 1999 Nigerian constitution as amended.
Members who spoke on the issue described it as infringement of the National Assembly’s rights as an institution as well as breach of the concept of separation of power contained in the constitution.
They also said the National Assembly was not joined in the case being the makers and custodian of the law, neither the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, implementers of the law, describing it as unfortunate.
“If they had included the National Assembly in the suit, National Assembly should have been able to bring clarity to the matter.” They argued.
While condemning the judgement, the lawmakers said the clause was aimed at deepening Nigeria’s democracy through fairness and equality.
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