The Federal Government on Wednesday ordered the Chief Judge of Adamawa
State to immediately swear-in Barr. Bala Ngilari as the governor of the state.
The Federal High Court on Wednesday declared Ngilari’s resignation as
unconstitutional, null and void.
The court also nullified the swearing in of Ahmadu Umar Fintiri as Acting
Governor of the state.
In a statement released to State House correspondents, the Attorney
General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, said the
Independent National Electoral Commission has been accordingly advised to stop
all arrangements put in place for the Saturday’s governorship bye-election in
the state.
The statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary in the ministry,
Adedeji Ajibade, reads: “The attention of the Office of the Attorney General of
the Federation and Minister of Justice has been drawn to the judgment of the
Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered by Hon. Justice Adeniyi Ademola on October
8 in respect of the above matter.
“The Federal High Court by its judgment under reference nullified the
swearing in of Ahmadu Umar Fintiri as the Acting Governor of Adamawa State and
declared the resignation of James Bala Ngilari as unconstitutional, null and
void.
“In obedience to the judgment of the court and the need to avert a
vacuum in governance and possible constitutional crises, the Honourable
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke,
hereby calls on the Chief Judge of Adamawa State to immediately swear in Barr.
James Ngilari as Governor of Adamawa State.
“The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission is also called
upon in obedience to the judgment of the Federal High Court to keep in abeyance
all the arrangements made for the conduct of the bye-elections scheduled to
take place in Adamawa State on Saturday, October 11, 2014,” it stated