Organization Advocates Constitutional Amendment as INEC Faces Allegations

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The Abuja School of Social and Political Thought (ASSPT) has called for further amendments to Nigeria’s Constitution to address the prolonged litigations that follow elections, urging the conclusion of legal disputes before the inauguration of newly elected officials.

Director of ASSPT Dr. Sam Amadi, made this plea during the launch of a comprehensive report titled “Election without Democracy: Explanatory Notes on Nigeria’s 2023 elections,” an event jointly organized by the Centre for Public Policy and Research (CPPR) and ASSPT.

Dr. Amadi emphasized the importance of resolving litigations before the formation of a new administration, stating that this approach would alleviate a significant portion of the current challenges facing the nation and ease the burden on the judiciary.

“It is actually illogical to ensure all cases end before inauguration,” he remarked, emphasizing the need for transparency and fairness in the electoral process.

The report also recommended the establishment of a committee by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to review petitions from aggrieved parties, providing an avenue for dispute resolution.

Amadi outlined the proposal: “After the election, INEC should sit with its team or committee and receive petitions from parties for review. When they approve all results, the next stage is swearing in of elected leaders. If these are done, it will reduce the cases of elections in court because they have been resolved through fact-finding law application procedures.”

Addressing concerns about the impartiality of the judiciary, Dr. Amadi urged Nigerians to respect and abide by the decisions of the courts, stating, “Nigerian judges are well trained and have the capacity to do justice. Once the court has spoken, we should all obey them.”

The report also commended Justice Flora Azinge, Chairperson of the State and House of Representatives Election Petition Tribunal in Kano, for exposing attempts to obstruct justice through financial inducements to panel members.

In conclusion, Dr. Amadi stressed the need for adherence to electoral regulations and laws, emphasizing that the report aimed to promote fairness, credibility, and national consensus in elections.