The Federal Government has ordered the Chief Judge of Adamawa State to immediately swear in Barrister James Bala Ngilari as the Governor of Adamawa State.
It said it is in obedience to the judgement of the court and the need to avert a vacuum in governance and possible constitutional crises in the state, following the Federal High Court Abuja, judgement delivered by Hon. Justice Adeniyi Ademola Wednesday, nullifying the swearing in of Ahmadu Umar Fintiri as the Acting Governor of Adamawa State and declaring the resignation of James Bala Ngilari as unconstitutional, null and void.
In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Adedeji Ajibade made available to State House correspondents, the National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) was also ordered to put on hold Saturday’s planned bye-election in obedience to the judgement of the Federal High Court.
“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 8th October 2014.
“The Federal High Court by its judgement 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 judgement of the court and the need to avert a vacuum in governance and possible constitutional crises, the Honourable the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, hereby calls on the Chief Judge of Adamawa State to immediately swear in Barrister James Bala Ngilari as the Governor of Adamawa State.
“The Chairman, National Independent Electoral Commission is also called upon in obedience to the judgement 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 11th October 2014,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, Barrister Bala James Ngilari, has attributed his victory at the Federal High Court that ordered that he be sworn in immediately as the “will of God and respect for due process.”
In a brief chat, an elated James Bala Ngilari said, ” It is the will of God and I give Him all the glory.”
He appealed for calm and support from all stakeholders of the party in the state.
