A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from conducting gubernatorial elections in Kogi, Adamawa, Sokoto, Bayelsa and Cross River states. In a consolidated suit filed by the five governors, the presiding Justice Adamu Bello ruled that the tenure of the governors of the affected five states will expire in 2012, noting that their tenure legally began when they were sworn in 2008. The judge said: “There is nowhere in the world where a constitution takes retroactive effect as erroneously held by INEC. “The said amendment cannot be used to determine the tenure of the governors who took oath of office in 2008 “INEC cannot validly conduct elections in the five states until 60 days to the expiration of the tenures of the present occupants. “The notice of elections, received nominations, and timetable issued by INEC for the April 2011 elections are unlawful, illegal and contrary to section 180 of the constitution.” The affected governors are Ibrahim Idris of Kogi state; Timipriye Sylva, Bayelsa state; Liyel Imoke, Cross River state; Murtala Nyako, Adamawa state and Aliyu Wammakko of Sokoto state. Source: African Examiner