Lagos — THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which is still basking in the euphoria of Tuesday's dismissal of the two major petitions against the last April presidential elections, beat its chest yesterday and declared that the court's verdict had vindicated its conduct of that election.
"INEC has consistently held that the outcome of the 2007 presidential election reflected the intent of Nigerian voters.
The firm and consistent assertion by the commission on the outcome of the election derived from an advantaged insight as well as an impartial and unsentimental analysis of the election," its chief spokesman, Mr. Phillip Umeadi (jnr) told newsmen yesterday in Abuja.
Umeadi, who also announced that a fresh governorship election would be held in Adamawa State on April 12, 2008 said: "By remaining resolute and even-handed in handling the petition, even in the face of sentiments which spilled over in the media, the Court of Appeal once more reaffirmed its historic place as the bastion of justice in the society."
"By the ruling of the Court of Appeal in the Presidential Election Petitions, more so the unanimous verdict of the eminent judges, INEC has been vindicated in the outcome of the 2007 presidential election."
Umeadi said the tribunal's verdict had no doubt enriched the "evolution and process of electoral democracy," in the country and described the Election Tribunal as part and parcel of the electoral process in the country.
The commission, according to him, wants all patriotic Nigerians to move the nation forward and commence preparation for the 2011 general elections. "This is the time to commence in earnest to prepare for the next general election in 2011 in a manner that will be less contentious and in an environment that will be more wholesome," he said.
He stated that the nullification of elections in some parts of the country did not mean that INEC fell short in the discharge of its duties, arguing that with the exception of the Enugu gubernatorial election, where irregularities were used to cancel the election, other verdicts did not fault the commission on the conduct of the elections.
He said the success INEC recorded in the conduct of the last general elections derived from its guiding principles of fairness, equity and obedience to the rule of law.
Umeadi said the commission recognised there were fundamental problems in the structure and practice of politics in the land and enjoined everyone to accept this and work out modalities to address them before the next general elections.
He praised President Yar'Adua for taking steps along this line by establishing the Presidential Committee on Electoral Reforms.
The April 12 governorship election in Adamawa will be held a week after the fresh senatorial election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Court of Appeal sitting in Jos had also on Tuesday upheld the verdict of the Gubernatorial Elections Tribunal in Adamawa State which cancelled the election of Gov. Murtala Nyako.
The Appeal Court ordered that the Speaker of the House of Assembly be sworn in acting capacity while INEC should conduct a fresh election 90 days from Tuesday.
He said guidelines on the conduct of the elections would be released soon.
Comments 1 to 1 of 1 Post a comment
INEC is delusional to think that Nigerian electorates are dummies. Even the Tribunal that ruled in favor of the president knows that the entire election was rigged and it was evident. The President in his modest days when he first assumed office equally acknowledged that the election that brought him to power was flawed and rumor had it that he was considering stepping down for a new election but for pressure from his party leadership.
The Tribunal ruled the way it did to avoid anarchy and additional expense on the Nigeria suffering masses to conduct a fresh election. It was the wrong ruling but so be it. The best option for INEC and PDP leadership is to shut the hell their stinking lying mouth and let the men and women of goodwill grapple with this decision their intelligent way.