Court orders INEC to stop engaging MC Oluomo’s service for 2023 elections

Olaseinde Gbenga, Abuja

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has stopped the  Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from engaging the services of the chairman of the Lagos State Parks Management Committee, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, to distribute election materials in the State.

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke gave the order against INEC pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit in a case filed by Labour Party and five others.

The court adjourned till Wednesday, 22nd of February 2023 to hear the substantive suit.

The court restrained, “National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (defendant/respondent) whether by itself or by its officers, affiliates, servants, privies or agents or any person acting or purporting to act for and on behalf howsoever from taking any steps or further steps whatsoever in furtherance of the engagement or appointment or consummating the appointment of Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo led Lagos State Parks Management Committee or any of its commercial bus drivers to distribute 2023 election materials and personnel in Lagos State pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.”

Recall that members of Labour Party and other opposition parties had asked INEC not to engage MC Oluomo for movement of election materials in Lagos.

The opposition parties had argued that MC Oluomo is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and an ally of Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the party.

They, therefore, argued that his engagement will compromise the credibility of the forthcoming elections in the State.

But INEC had dismissed the claims that it plans to engage MC Oluomo led Lagos Parks Management Committee for the election.

The Commission said it deals with transporters as individuals and not as a group contrary to the assertion of the opposition parties.