‘Electoral Act Might Not Save Nigeria’s Democracy’: Prominent Constitutional Lawyer Gives Reason
- A lot of matters cropped up from the 2023 general elections in Nigeria as key challenges were associated with the polls in light of extant laws
- Steps have been taken by aggrieved candidates for the judicial review of the process, prominently by Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the LP, and Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the PDP
- Speaking to Legit.ng, Lagos-based lawyer and human rights activist, Festus Ogun, expressed doubt on the virtue of the Electoral Act 2022
Ikeja, Lagos state - Barrister Festus Ogun, a well-known constitutional lawyer, on Thursday, August 3, said he does not think that the Electoral Act might turn out to be the saviour of Nigeria's democracy.
Ogun stated this in a brief chat with Legit.ng.
Source: Facebook
Will Electoral Act be the saviour of Nigeria's democracy?
On February 25, 2022, the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, signed the controversial Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law, as it repeals the Electoral Act No. 6, 2010.
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The Act was intended to bring innovations to the regulation of federal, state, and area council elections in Nigeria. However, many Nigerians were left disappointed as several contradictions against the electoral act were recorded during the 2023 general elections.
Nonetheless, some commenters still feel the Electoral Act might turn out to be the saviour of Nigeria's democracy — but Ogun thinks otherwise.
The legal practitioner said complainants at the election petition courts will still find it difficult to prove their case to the judges.
He told Legit.ng:
“I do not think so especially as it relates to proving of cases by petitioners in election petition proceedings.”
Trouble for INEC staff who violated Electoral Act during presidential polls
In a piece of related news, Legit.ng reported that the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) banned all staff found negligent in the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections from partaking in the March 11 governorship and state House of Assemblies elections.
The chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, while having a meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja on Saturday, March 4, disclosed this.
2023 elections: INEC Chairman under fire over alleged violation of Electoral Act
Legit.ng also reported that Prof. Yakubu came under criticism, as prominent Nigerians called for his arrest and subsequent prosecution over alleged manipulation of the Saturday, February 25 presidential election.
In a press conference in Awka, Anambra state, on Wednesday, March 2, an Anambra-based lawyer, Christopher Enemuo, accused the INEC boss of gross violation of the country's electoral act by not adhering strictly to the use of the Bimodal Voters' Accreditation System (BVAS) which was meant for the electronic transfer of results from polling units to INEC portal.
Source: Legit.ng
