Wike Says Free, Fair Elections Is Anti-Dote To Court Case After Elections

Rivers state governor Nyesom Wike says the incessant resort to the courts in both pre-election and post-election matters may be as a result of the prevalence of perceived grievances with the electoral process.

Speaking at a one-day conference on the role of litigation in the 2019 Nigerian electoral process organized by the Nigerian Bar Association section on legal practice, governor Wike said the way to forestall rampant electoral litigation is not by restraining the rights to access to court being advocated in some quarters, but strengthening democratic institutions; engender transparency and respect for the rule of law in the democratic process so that election results including primary elections will be true representation of the wishes of the people.

He added that the success of the 2019 election depends largely on the neutrality of security agencies, stressing that as the 2019 general elections draw near, Nigerians need to remain vigilant and astute in their demand for free and fair elections.

As previous experiences have shown, the outcomes of many, if not all the elections, are expected to end up at the tribunals.

Just as politicians are getting ready for the polls, legal practitioners have also decided to sharpen their tools.

Chief judge of Bayelsa state, Justice Kate Abiri also submitted that litigation can only be minimized when elections are free, fair and transparent.