… Tasks INEC on electoral integrity

… Seeks end to candidate substitution

A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has urged the courts to resist mounting pressure to compromise the rule of law, stressing that the judiciary remains the last institutional hope for the ordinary Nigerians.

The coalition, under the aegis of the Centre for Democratic Governance and the Alliance of Freedom Fighters (AFF), stated this while frowning against what it described as crisis surrounding the conduct of party primaries and the alleged manipulation of results by political parties.

Addressing newsmen, the group expressed concern over “truncating assault on democracy”, stating that the will of the people, expressed through primaries monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and protected by the Electoral Act, is currently under siege in many parts of the country.

While speaking on behalf of the coalition, the Coordinator of the Centre for Democratic Governance, Ugochukwu Constantine, warned that no political party, whether in government or opposition, has the constitutional right to alter results recorded by the unbiased umpire and conducted by its lawful organs.

The coalition insisted that the outcomes of party primaries must reflect the true picture of what transpired on the field.

Constantine cautioned INEC against permitting parties to transmit or upload results that substitute defeated candidates for those who actually won on the ground.

The coalition alleged that in Ondo State, clear evidence exists that in several constituencies, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) allegedly manufactured results different from those announced and monitored by INEC.

They noted that the actions stand in direct contradiction to the Electoral Act and are currently the subject of litigation, with all eyes on the justice system.

“At times like this, the heroism of our judges and justice becomes the bedrock to lasting democracy in our country. The last institutional hope of the ordinary Nigerian remains the judiciary. It must continue to resist every pressure to abandon that sacred duty.

“We affirm our confidence in the judicial system of Nigeria. We invite all present to join us in recognising the Nigerian Judiciary for the moments it has stood firm and resolute on the side of the common man and the rule of law,”
Constantine said.

The coalition referenced the case of Ghani Arobo versus the APC and INEC as a testament to judicial integrity, where the court reportedly rejected claims of manufactured results by the NWC against INEC-monitored direct primaries, a decision that was upheld by the appellate court.

The group reminded the public that under Section 84(13) of the Electoral Act, INEC is legally empowered to ensure that submitted names strictly tally with actual winners.

They urged the commission to utilise its automated electronic nomination portal, which is programmed to reject attempts to submit candidate names that differ from uploaded primary results, insisting that taxpayers have paid for the system and it must be allowed to function.