A human rights activist, Festus Ogun, has predicted many Certificates of Return issued after the February 25 and March 18 polls in Nigeria would be handed back.
The legal practitioner advised successful
candidates not to get too comfortable.
The Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) has been accused of delivering controversial conduct despite receiving
billions of naira for preparation.
The umpire’s sins include the malfunction of
the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the failure to promptly
update the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
Ogun noted that the “failure on the part of INEC
to conduct a free, fair, transparent and credible” exercise has brought about
hundreds of cases across the country.
The lawyer, however, expressed confidence
about the shocker that awaits a number of winners that will be sworn in on May
29 and in June (federal and state lawmakers).
I am involved in quite a number of election
cases where I, alongside others, represent both petitioners and respondents.
This gives me a broad view that even the
supposed winners acknowledge that the electioneering process was flawed.
Worryingly, some of INEC officials, including RECs and returning officers, were
not neutral.
Lots of the Certificate of Return issued by
INEC will be returned. I know, as a matter of fact, that there will be review
of some of the outcomes.
On how to avoid a repeat of the
irregularities witnessed during the elections, the Principal Partner of Festus
Ogun Legal demands a system that makes the electoral body “truly independent”.
This starts from the appointment of INEC
leadership; the mode of appointment needs to be reviewed. The Adamawa
experience shows clearly that some INEC officials are not neutral.
Ogun added, These characters, with respect,
are a misfit and a product of a system that allows rogue politicians to appoint
their cronies into INEC key decision-making positions.
Section 132 (7) & (8) of the Electoral
Act, 2022 allows for petitions to be filed within 21 days after the declaration
of results, while the respondents have 21 days to respond.
The judges at the tribunals have 180 days to
deliver judgment, and taking into account the April 15 supplementary elections,
verdicts are expected between May and October 2023.
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