In a stern rebuke, the Court of Appeal in Abuja targeted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing it of partisanship and unbecoming conduct.
The censure came as Justice K. I. Amadi delivered the lead judgment in a case involving the Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, shedding light on INEC’s questionable role in electoral matters.
The Appeal Court expressed its discontent, deeming it highly irregular for INEC to present itself as an intervening party in an election dispute while distancing itself from documents it not only issued but also officially certified.
Justice Amadi articulated the concern that INEC seemed to persist in “dancing naked in the market,” a metaphorical expression depicting the commission’s apparent lack of neutrality in electoral matters.
The judiciary emphasized that INEC, as a crucial institution overseeing elections, must adhere to the principles of impartiality and neutrality.
The court underscored the responsibility of the electoral board to act as an unbiased umpire, refraining from favoring any party involved in election disputes.
“The INEC as an institution should be reminded of its role in an election; to be an unbiased umpire between parties.
It should stop behaving irresponsibly, having in mind that its duty to conduct elections has a direct bearing on peace and well-being of the country,” the court remarked, calling for a recalibration of INEC’s approach to its electoral duties.
The unanimous ruling by the panel carried significant consequences, as it nullified the election of Abubakar Suleiman, the Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly. Suleiman had initially been declared the winner of the state’s Ningi Central Constituency by none other than INEC.
The court’s decision brought into question the integrity of the electoral process and underscored the imperative for INEC to uphold its role with the utmost responsibility and fairness.
As the judicial system intervenes to address concerns of bias and lack of impartiality, the spotlight remains on INEC to reevaluate its conduct in electoral matters.
The court’s reproach serves as a poignant reminder of the pivotal role played by electoral institutions in maintaining the democratic fabric of the nation.
The call to cease the “partisan dance” resonates as an urgent plea for INEC to realign itself with the principles of fairness and neutrality, safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process for the greater well-being and stability of the country.
