Election Day: Members of Seventh Day Adventist drag INEC to court over ‘Saturday’

Three Members of Seventh Day Adventist Church, SDA, have dragged the Federal Government, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to court over alleged violation of their fundamental rights.

The SDA members include, Chief Emeka Anyabelem, Elder Asonye , Felix Minikwu and Chinedu Omesurum.

They are seeking the court for an injunctive order mandating INEC to stop holding elections on Saturdays.

They are demanding that election should be held on weekdays between Monday and Thursday.

The respondents also want the court to award them fifty million naira as general damage for breach of fundamental rights to Freedom of Religion as guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights Act.

Presiding Justice M.W Danagogo, however, adjourned till 18th December for mention.

Speaking to newsmen outside the courtroom, counsel to the claimants, Ahamefule Owurre while highlighting the reasons for challenging the day adopted for the election said, “Why must they hold election on Saturdays? There are people who worship on that day but anytime election hold, they cannot go to their place of worship.

“For us, we believe it is an infringement and must be corrected.”