A human rights lawyer and public interest litigator, Barrister Bilyaminu Lukman Maihanchi, has issued a final seven-day ultimatum to the Taraba State Independent Electoral Commission,TSIEC, demanding the declaration of vacancy in the office of the Councillor representing Turaki ‘A’ Ward in Jalingo Local Government Council and the conduct of a by-election.
The lawyer stated that the action was being taken in the public interest and in furtherance of constitutional democracy and the rule of law, while urging the Commission to treat the matter with the urgency it deserves.
In a letter addressed to the Chairman of TSIEC on Tuesday, Maihanchi recalled an earlier petition dated April 17, 2026, and received by the Commission on April 20, 2026, in which he requested an investigation into the continued occupation of the councillorship seat by an individual who had allegedly accepted an executive appointment as Chairman of the Taraba State Scholarship Board.
According to the lawyer, more than 30 days have elapsed since the Commission received the petition, yet it has neither responded nor taken any visible action to address what he described as serious constitutional and democratic concerns.
He argued that the Commission’s continued inaction undermines the constitutional right of the people of Turaki ‘A’ Ward to effective representation and raises concerns about its commitment to preserving the integrity of the democratic process.
Maihanchi consequently demanded that TSIEC, within seven days of receiving the latest letter, investigate the status of the councillor representing Turaki ‘A’ Ward, declare the seat vacant if required by law, and commence the process of conducting a by-election to fill the vacancy.
“The continued failure of the Commission to act undermines the constitutional right of the people of Turaki ‘A’ Ward to effective representation and calls into question the Commission’s duty to uphold the integrity of the democratic process,” Maihanchi said.
He further warned that failure by the Commission to comply with the demand within the stipulated period would leave him with no option but to institute legal proceedings to compel TSIEC to perform its constitutional and statutory responsibilities, alongside any other reliefs a competent court may grant.
“If the Commission fails, refuses, or neglects to comply with this final demand within the stipulated period, we shall, without further notice, institute appropriate legal proceedings against the Commission to compel the performance of its constitutional and statutory duties, including any other reliefs the court may deem fit to grant”, he stated.
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