Lagos — There is no head way with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the petition filed by 14 opposition parties who alleged breach of the law by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in its launch of a N10 billion national secretariat.

Members of the Patriotic Alliance of Nigeria (PAN) alleged that donations at the launch, including the N1 billion made by Femi Otedola, exceeded the N1 million limit pegged by the INEC.

But the INEC said it cannot act on the matter because its power to sanction political parties has been stripped by a court ruling against it in the case of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, over INEC powers to disqualify election candidates.

The PAN members include Action Alliance (AA), African Liberation Party (ALP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Party of Nigeria (APN), Citizens Popular Party (CPP), Liberal Democratic Party of Nigeria (LDPN), Hope Democratic Party (HDP), New Democrats (ND), Nigeria Peoples Congress (NPC), Peoples Mandate Party (PMP), National Solidarity Democratic Party (NSDP), Republic Party of Nigeria (RPN), Masses Movement of Nigeria (MMN), United Nigeria Peoples Party (UNPP).

The Commission admitted that, based on the Electoral Act, it fixed donation to parties at a maximum of N1 million, and advised the petitioners to take their case to the court.

"The INEC received the letter on Tuesday," a source at the INEC, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed in an interview. "But we are not likely to act on it. If the petitioners are aggrieved, they should go to court.

"That is the implication of the Supreme Court judgment, which ousted INEC's powers to enforce. We have done our job to prescribe the limits. We are not a law enforcement agency. But we are still studying it."

But CPP National Chairman, Maxi Okwu, countered that "we have not yet received any response from the INEC. In view of the immediacy of the matter, in addition to overwhelming public interest, we expect nothing short of robust action.

"We will not accept that INEC is powerless in this matter. We however would not let the matter rest. The irresponsible reply by the PDP Publicity Secretary is a fine example of dodging or befogging the issues.

"We have the option, among others, of filing a complaint with the Attorney General of the Federation, and if he refuses to act, apply to court for a writ o f mandamus. We may also write to President (Umaru) Yar'Adua and task his conscience on the moral issues arising."