Several other Nigerians, using the Bayelsa and Imo states governorship elections and the final verdict of the apex court as a peg SupremeCourt INEC Elections Nigeria
If there is anything that poses threat to the continuous existence of democratic governance in Nigeria aside from the rising spate of insecurity and the dangerous trend of distrust among ethnic nationalities in recent times, the rate at which the Supreme Court now decides election outcomes and the perceived shortcomings of the Independent National Electoral Commission are of major concern.
While it is also of importance that the desperations of contestants and lack of internal democracy in political parties are not helping the election procedures as once noted by INEC chairman shortly before the November 2019 governorship election in Kogi State, the application of violent and financial inducement before, during and after elections seem to be contributing immensely to the possible threat facing Nigeria’s democratic governance.
He said: “I don’t know where to place my blame, whether on the political party , or on the screening committee of INEC. But in all, it gives credence to the recommendations of Justice Mohammed Uwais committee on electoral reforms, which states that there should be a Political Party Registration and Regulations Commission.
“In President Muhammadu Buhari’s case, the issue of certificate was downgraded seriously. It tells you that there is a somersault in principle of the apex court. The decision of the Supreme Court in the Bayelsa State judgment gave credence to the fact that certificate was one of the factors through which a candidate can pursue his aspirations, but it was treated as if it was not important at all in the petition against President Buhari.
As the Supreme Court will be sitting over the Imo State governorship election today to re-examine its earlier decision, a group of human rights lawyers have urged the apex court to reverse itself and to order INEC to conduct a rerun election for the candidate of APC, Governor Hope Uzordima and the ousted governor, Emeka Ihedioha of PDP.
“These statutes are the unambiguous requisites for the declaration of a winner in a governorship election.
The group, which identified itself as Imo State Elders’ Council, posited that the apex court verdict was in the overall interest of the state.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Court bars INEC from deregistering 31 political parties | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World NewsJustice Anwuli Chikere of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, restrained the INEC from deregistering 31 political parties.
Read more »
Imo: APC, Uzodinma urge Supreme Court to rejectThe Supreme Court had, in judgement sacked Ihedioha and ordered that Uzodinma takes his place, a decision the former has applied to the apex court for a review, alleging that it was obtained by fraud
Read more »
Nigerians back INEC, support deregistration of political partiesOver 8,000 Nigerians who participated in an online poll have supported the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister 74 political parties.
Read more »
Court Restrains INEC from Deregistering 31 Political Parties - THISDAYLIVEAlex Enumah in AbujaJustice Anwuli Chikere of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from carrying out its planned de-registeration of 31 political parties, pending the hearing of a suit challenging the powers of INEC to deregister. Justice Chikere gave the order in a ruling on an interlocutory …
Read more »
INEC declines comments as parties rejoice over court ruling on de-registration – Daily TrustThe Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will not comment on Monday's court ruling that barred the commission from de-registering 31 of the 74 de-registered political parties.
Read more »
As the Supreme Court Reviews Its Decision On Imo Governorship Election, By Chidi Odinkalu - Premium Times OpinionIn 2013, the Journal of African Elections was more explicit in panning election dispute resolution in Nigeria as “rigging through the courts.”
Read more »