…as 92 CSOs challenge judiciary to live above board
…condemn incessant attacks of INEC offices across Nigeria
…throws weight behind INEC chairman and his commissioners
A coalition of 92 civil society organisations, CSOs under the aegis of Democracy Watch of Nigeria on Friday declared that the judiciary is under the telescope of Nigerians and an acid test for the new Electoral Act as a Court delivers judgement in the Nwajiuba V Tinubu case on Monday.
The coalition also cautioned the Federal Government that without adequate security no proper election can take place in the country.
Dr Gabriel Nwambu, the convener of the Round Table Conference tagged: ‘Toward The 2023 General Elections ‘ made this disclosure on behalf of the CSOs in Abuja.
He said the plethora of problems facing the apex electoral body are scary particularly the litigations in different courts but Dr Nwambu emphasised the Nwajiuba V Tinubu case which he said:
“This is the case that will determine whether the Electoral Act of 2022 is a mere lip service as the judiciary is going to let Nigerians know whether it’s truly the last hope of the common man in Nigeria.
Hear him:
“There has been an increased number of cases bothering on the candidature of various political parties on different positions. The Independent National Electoral Commission has 600 cases bothering on same issue. The Adamawa APC is facing serious litigation on the authentic Governorship candidate of the party.
“The Abia state APC is also not left out. It is having its own share of litigation between Dr. Uche Ogah and Chief Ikechi Emenike on who is the authentic Governorship candidate.
“The APGA in Abia state is having its own tussle. In a case filed by Chief Chikwe Udensi challenging the APGA governorship primary that produced Prof. Greg, Justice Binta Nyako nullified the primary and ordered for a fresh primary within 14 days.
“In Akwa Ibom state, the PDP is at the Appeal Court now on who the authentic Governorship candidate is. The APC is also in the Appeal Court. While the Governorship candidate of the YPP, Senator Bassey Albert has been jailed for 42 years for an offence he allegedly committed between 2010 and 2014 while serving as commissioner for Finance in Akwa Ibom state.
“In the same vein there is a case that would be decided on Monday, 12th December, 2022 by a high court in Abuja between Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba and Bola Ahmed Tinubu who won the presidential primary election of the APC. This Judgement on Monday will shake the political fabric of our nation. It would determine whether the nation is indeed compliant to our beloved Electoral Act 2022 or whether it is lip service.
” Nigerians and the international community are watching and waiting for this Judgement. This would definitely make or erode the public perception on the belief that the Judiciary is really the hope of the common man.
Hon. Nwajiuba posited his stand on 3 germane issues:
“That the Primary and Secondary School Certificates of the candidate was not submitted to INEC sequel to fundamental requirements of law.
“That the candidate had in the past deposed to an affidavit that he attended certain secondary schools.
” That the provision of section 90(3) of the Electoral Act which bothers on the disclosure of sources of funds in excess of 50 million naira has been breached by the candidate, as the candidate has failed to furnish same to INEC. This is sequel to the the purchase of expression of interest and normination forms at the cost of 100 million naira.
“Hon. Nwajiuba argued that other political parties might as well take advantage of this lacuna thereby destroying the chances of the APC. He went further to section 84(13) of the 2022 Electoral Act which states that where a political party fails to comply with the provision of this act in the conduct of it’s primaries, it’s candidate for the election shall not be included in the election for the particular position in issue.
“The above, no doubt, are earth shattering issues for which the Judiciary should brace up to the challenge of doing justice to ensure transparency and the dominance and supremacy of the rule of law preparatory to the 2023 general elections.
On the general elections and various attacks on INEC facilities Nwambu said: “78 days to the general elections various attacks have been carried out on facilities and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the distribution of voting materials across the country.
” Ironically, the offices and facilities of INEC has frequently and systematically been attacked in what seems to us as a coordinated and simultaneous attacks across Nigeria especially in the southern part of the country.
” The attacks in Imo state is making it the seventh attack in four months. They were coordinated attacks in INEC offices in Ogun and Osun states respectively. Democracy Watch Nigeria has noted with dismay that these attacks are coming after INEC had met with the nation’s security chiefs and several reassurances by the Inspector General of Police which is the lead agency for international security that security has been beefed up to protect INEC installations and facilities nationwide.
“It is worthy of note that INEC is not a security agency and no successful election can take place without adequate protection of lives and property of citizens.
” For an effective election process, citizens need proper reassurance of their safety otherwise this would impair negatively on the turn out of registered voters on elections. In these attacks, Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), electricity generating sets, and election materials, infrastructure, etc. were burnt and destroyed.
“The electoral management body has assured every registered voter that they would not be disenfranchised. Consequently, the commission has commenced the reprinting of all burnt PVCs across the country.
” This is coming when issues about the funding of INEC’s budget had long been concluded for the 2023 General Elections for a country that is in a dire need of funds to finance its budget.
“The funds for the replacement of PVCs and other facilities would have been saved if not for these consistent and incessant attacks.
“We are appealing to all security operatives and the IGP to up his game as promised by ensuring there’s adequate security of lives and properties during the election.
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