According to Vanguard, The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, against making misleading statements regarding political defections, particularly those involving lawmakers.

Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, issued a statement on Friday in Abuja, addressing comments attributed to Governor Fubara. The governor had accused INEC of selectively conducting elections to fill vacancies caused by the defection of serving members of the National and State Assemblies from one political party to another.

Oyekanmi noted that while Fubara failed to provide specific examples of such selective actions, the governor particularly accused INEC of deliberately refusing to fill vacancies arising from the crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly. The Assembly has been split into two factions, each claiming control, leading to conflicting declarations of vacant seats.

“In the midst of the crisis, three or so lawmakers have declared the seats of 27 members vacant and vice versa,” Oyekanmi stated. He explained that INEC is fully aware of the situation but cannot act because the matter is currently before the courts.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission has been joined in several lawsuits at various courts, including the Supreme Court. Under these circumstances, INEC must await a final judicial ruling before taking any action, to avoid engaging in an exercise that could ultimately be nullified and waste public resources,” he added.

Oyekanmi urged public office holders to exercise caution in their statements, especially when legal proceedings are ongoing. He emphasized that casting aspersions on public institutions without due consideration for legal processes could mislead the public and undermine trust in democratic institutions.