From Romanus Ugwu and Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, raised the alarm that the over 600 pending court cases arising from conduct of party primaries were delaying preparation and procurement of sensitive materials for the conduct of 2023 general elections.
It specifically expressed disappointment against a political party which served it about 70 court processes in a day seeking to compel the commission to accept the nomination or substitution of its candidates long after the deadline.
The electoral body said most of the pending cases bordered on the conduct of party primaries.
Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this, yesterday, at a capacity building workshop for over 300 judges that would handle disputes that would arise from the forthcoming elections.
Prof. Yakubu lamented that it was unhealthy for the commission to be battling with pre-election matters, at a time it ought to be concerned with full-blown preparation for the necessary logistics for the conduct of the impending polls.
“Infact, just recently, one political party served over 70 court processes on the Commission, seeking to compel it to accept list of candidates, long after the time for nomination of candidates had elapsed.”
Regardless, Yakubu expressed resolve of the commission to comply with orders of court in strict adherence to judicial precedents.
“Strict adherence to the principle of stare-decisis (precedent) is critical for us as election management body. A situation where a trial court tries to vary the decision of the Supreme Court, puts the Commission in a very difficult situation. The job of politicians is to be purely partisan, but our job as INEC and the Judiciary requires absolute neutrality, may God help us.”
The INEC boss spoke as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, warned judicial officers to shun actions that could bring disrepute to the judiciary as an institution.
Justice Ariwoola, who administered oath of office on 307 judicial officers that would sit on 2023 election petition cases, vowed not condone any act of recklessness or abuse of power from any of you.
“Your Lordships should count yourselves worthy to be so entrusted with this humongous responsibility of deciding the fate of those that would be contesting elections into various political offices in the country in 2023.
“You are not known to possess some supernatural powers to perform wonders, I can confidently assure you that the society will certainly expect the impossible from you as members of Election Petition Tribunals. Therefore, I will not condone any act of recklessness, abuse of power and public trust. This is a rare privilege and you must give a good account of yourselves.’’
According to the CJN, “there is virtually nothing that has not been seen or heard before, but you should be ready to see and hear more, especially as you begin to adjudicate on election matters in 2023.
“Even though I rejoice with you on this very important appointment, I still sympathise with you for the many troubles, inconveniences, verbal assaults and all sorts of uncomplimentary remarks that will be made about you by various litigants.
“We are all human, no doubt, but you display the humanism in you by doing those extraordinary things that people would ordinarily say you cannot do.
“That is what distinguishes those with integrity and passion for success from those with unenviable pedigree and dysfunctional moral compass’’.
He noted that trust is a burden but judicial officers must discharge it with utmost sincerity, honesty and transparency because conscience is an open wound healed only by the truth.
“You must rise and operate above every sentiment that might play out in the course of your adjudication in the various tribunals.
“There is no doubt that temptations, tribulations, intimidations and even sheer blackmails may be unleashed on you, but as thoroughbred Judicial Officers, you must gird your loins to rise above them and do what will earn you accolades from your Creator, and also from the court of public opinion.
“There is no mountain too high to scale; and there is no goal too difficult to achieve as far as you have firmly resolved to attain greater heights in life’’.
He warned them that all eyes are on them and that they should, therefore, always remember that their conduct will be publicly dissected and thoroughly scrutinised.