Justice Ahmed Mohamed of the Federal High Court Abuja has nullified the change of electoral sequence by the National Assembly.
Delivering judgement in a lawsuit filed before him this morning, Justice Mohammed nullified clause 25, section 15 of the Electoral Amendment Bill passed into law by the National Assembly reordering the sequence which was announced by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The National Assembly Conference Committee on Electoral Act (amendment) bill had adopted a reordered sequence of the 2019 general election, putting the presidential election last while that of the national assembly was to come first, followed by governorship and state houses of assembly.
Justice Mohammed in his ruling, said the 1999 constitution empowers only INEC to organize and supervise elections including fixing dates and sequences and so the National Assembly has no powers to over-ride the actions of INEC.
The re-ordered sequence of elections has caused a lot of ripples in the Senate. Recall that Senator Omo-Agege was suspended after he protested the re-ordering of the elections.