Court nullifies judgement stopping n’assembly from reordering sequence of elections

The Abuja division of the court of appeal has set aside a judgement of the federal high court which held that the national assembly lacked power to change the sequence of election.

In April, the lower court held that the national assembly could not alter election timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

It said INEC was the only body constitutionally empowered to fix dates, organise and supervise elections in the country.

Thereafter, the national assembly appealed the judgement.

At the court on Wednesday, a five-man panel led by Zainab Bulkachuwa, president of the appeal court, held that a bill could not be challenged in court until it becomes an act.

The panel held that the lower court lacked jurisdiction to hear the suit in the first place.

The court explained that the party did not have the locus standi to file the suit because the bill did not affect its rights.