The Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, Dr. Sam Amadi, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), and the Nigerian Judiciary of sabotaging the country’s 2023 elections.
He stated this while speaking at the first Inter-Party Advisory Council Roundtable on “The Role of the Judiciary in Nigeria’s Democratic Sustainability” held in Abuja on Thursday.
Amadi, a former Executive Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), expressed disappointment in the political strategy in Nigeria, which he said was riddled with corruption and bribes with INEC, judiciary and the security agencies, deeply involved.
“In every country, elections are won on strategy, with policy people thinking and mapping constituencies, but in Nigeria, our strategy is simple; bribe INEC, bribe the judiciary and Commandeer the security agencies and that’s it.
“The rules were very clear, the electoral act was also clear, though not perfect.
“I am surprised that a judge who understands administrative law will argue that an internal regulation built on a law and act, directing that you will do X, you can go ahead and do Y, when there is a legitimate expectation and a detrimental reliance (on the outcome).
“INEC was totally wrong and the Supreme Court got it all wrong” said Amadi.
He added that INEC is fully backed by the constitution to make rules to guide their operations and those rules are laws and should not be regarded as mere words.
“Results should have been transmitted electronically, I was ashamed that the court affirmed that INEC can just walk like that.” the legal practitioner said.
According to Amadi, the judiciary needs to look into the policy where only candidates in an election can challenge the outcome of the election as the people should also be given such rights.
Talking about the electoral caseload on the judiciary, Amadi said INEC should start doing administrative adjudication where it can be able to clear up controversies in elections, not directing all aggrieved parties to court.
“Every process in an election requires administrative procedures and due process which should enable INEC to review make rulings on objections during collation of results.
“I watched the drama where INEC said, call results and after, go to court. There should be an opportunity for administrative hearing,” he added.