Mr Austin Aigbe, a development expert, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to appeal Wednesday’s ruling of the Federal High Court, which nullified key portions of the timetable and schedule of activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, news.ng reports.
In a Certified True Copy made available to the press on Thursday, Justice M. G. Umar, who presided over the matter filed by the Youth Party against INEC, held that the commission has no legal right to go against statutory timelines relating to party primaries, submission of candidates’ particulars, withdrawal and replacement of candidates, publication of final candidates’ lists, and campaign periods.
Meanwhile, Aigbe, the regional officer of the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network, in an interview on Arise Television on Saturday night, called on INEC to obey the court ruling, adding that appealing the judgment could further create unnecessary tension among political parties.
He warned that if INEC goes against the court ruling, it could erode Nigerians’ trust in the commission.
He said, “I would like to advise INEC not to make any mistake that will further enhance the trust deficit that citizens have against INEC, especially when we already know by way of, even though the issues around ex-post has gone down, appealing this case will ignite another level of fire.” INEC should respect law. With all due respect, INEC obeyed the electoral act to have that timeline. They should obey the rules of the game to also change its course of action.”
Recall that the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in response to the High Court ruling, commended the judicial pronouncements, stating that the court’s move was a vindication of its objections to key aspects of the electoral body’s guidelines when they were issued.
“The decision of the Court on these issues, including those that directly contradict the Constitution, is therefore a welcome vindication of our position,” the party stated through its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, on Thursday.
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