In compliance with the order of the FCT High Court, Kubwa, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has given the green light that it would inaugurate the newly-elected chairmen for the six area councils of the territory on Tuesday.
Three weeks earlier on May 18, 2022, the FCT High Court in Kubwa district suspended the swearing-in of the newly elected chairmen and the councillors, claiming they were entitled to an extra year based, according to him, on a provision of the Electoral Act 2022.
Justice Mohammed Ibrahim, who initially issued the order that stopped Minister Muhammad Bello from swearing the elected officials, on Thursday set aside the judgment given in favour of tenure elongation for the six FCT Area Council chairmen and their councilors elected in 2019 for a three-year tenure.
The new turn around was disclosed by the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola, when he addressed FCT youths who were protesting the delay of the inauguration on Friday in Abuja.
Adesola explained, ”The FCTA, at on Friday, June 10, received the Certified True Copy of the new judgement of the FCT High Court delivered by Justice Ibrahim Mohammed in respect of the subject matter.
“The court has set aside its earlier judgement delivered on Friday, May 13, granting a one-year extension of the outgoing chairmen and councilors of the six FCT area councils due to lack of jurisdiction.
“The judgement effectively cleared the way for the swearing in of the newly elected chairmen,” he said.
He indicated that as a law-abiding organisation, the FCTA would equally obey the new judgement, just as it had complied with the earlier one.
Adesola, therefore, said, ”the newly elected Chairmen, shall accordingly be inaugurated on Tuesday, June 14, 2022. Further details would be provided in due course.
“Residents are once again reminded that the FCT is a creation of law and all actions of the FCT Administration are guided by the rule of law and this case will not be an exception.
”The FCTA extends its appreciation to all stakeholders for their patience and support in this regard and enjoins all residents of the Territory to remain calm and law abiding in their daily activities.”
Earlier, some aggrieved FCT youths had barricaded the entrance of the FCTA Secretariat demanding the immediate inauguration of the area councils’ chairmen, in compliance with the court order.