REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE
Political analysts and stakeholders in Anambra State have continued to react to the recent decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to stop recognizing any faction of the leadership of the African Democratic Congress, ADC until the issue of the leadership of the party is determined by the Supreme Court.
The decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, according to some analysts is a welcome development while others described it as an attempt that may truncate the nation’s democracy.
A Legal Practitioner in Awka, Mr Okolie Akrika said the decision by INEC is an unprecedented travesty of due process and rule of law.
Mr Akrika argued that the status quo the law says that INEC should observe is that which was existing before the filling of the suit and not the status quo pursuant to the claims contained in the suit.
He therefore called on INEC to ensure that it handles all political processes leading to the conduct of 2027 general elections in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act.
” Notwithstanding what INEC have done so far, is now the duty of every Nigerian to be perpetually and reasonably vigilante to ensure that election is conducted in accordance with the letters as written on the constitution. INEC cannot claim to observe a status quo and turn around to observe a status quo contingent upon the claims of a party”
” funny enough the person directing the affairs of INEC is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria who ought to know that the Commission cannot by its own regulations purported to deviet from the provisions of substantive Electoral Act. That very act alone is a clear manifestation that INEC is mindful to shortchange not just the law but Nigerians”
A Political Activist, Comrade Chinedu ObIgwe, noted that there was nothing wrong with INEC decision because the commission was obeying a court of appeal judgement on the matter.
Comrade Obigwe advised members of ADC to work on vacating the court order instead of blaming INEC for the fortune that befell their party .
“They should try and maybe vacate that judgment at the Supreme Court. Blaming INEC and saying that inec is biased is giving a dog a bad name in other to hang it , INEC did nothing wrong, they are obeying the court of appeal judgement and for ne what they did deserve commendation”
A political enthusiast, Chief Chidiebere Obika observed that INEC acted in good faith and wisdom by deciding to take middle ground in the matter since both leaders were approaching the Commission to recognize each of them as the authentic leader of the ADC.
“Rafiu Gombe is coming to INEC with a certain court judgment, David Mark led faction is also coming to INEC with a certain court judgment. INEC in its wisdom now looked at all these court judgments before them and decided to take a middle ground, For me thats the best approach to it, so I thumb INEC up”
Another political stakeholder Ozor Obi Ochije urged politicians to always ensure that they avoid actions that could unsettle the nation’s democratic rule, while calling on INEC to ensure strict observance of the rule of law in its actions.
” Am not speaking for ADC, I am speaking for the poor masses, the way things are going, we cannot have one party system in Nigeria, that will kill our democracy and kill the morale of the citizens. My warning is to politicians, the leaders, let them not bring Nigeria down, let them not bring the fight of our forefathers down”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) oon Wednesday said that it will no longer recognise the factions of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by David Mark or Rafiu Bala, following its review of the court of appeal judgement on leadership tussle in the party.
