2023: INEC Faces 600 Court Cases Over Issues Of Candidates’ Nomination – Yakubu

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on Monday disclosed that the electoral body is currently facing 600 court cases over issues of the nomination of candidates for next year’s general election.

According to him, the situation is rather worrisome because most of the cases are those seeking court orders to force INEC to accept their nominations even after the time stipulation by the law is passed.

Naija News reports that the INEC chair, who spoke in Abuja at a capability building organised by the Court of Appeal for Election Petition Tribunal members said it is shocking to see a political party serve the commission with 70 court summons in a day.

Yakubu told the Election Petition Tribunal, which has been given the mandate to adjudicate on election disputes for next year’s general elections that the commission will obey and abide by all valid court orders at all times.

He also appealed to the Judiciary to be absolutely neutral along with the commission.
The INEC chair, however, cautioned high courts to resist the temptation of attempts to review final judgments of the Supreme Court on election disputes.

He explained that from experience most politicians and political parties like litigation, and will summon the commission on frivolous and vexatious issues.

Yakubu, who pledged that the 2023 general elections would be free and fair submitted that next year’s pools would change the narrative of Nigeria’s political space because its the first time since the advent of the 2022 new Electoral Act that gives legal backing to the use of technology in the conduct of elections in the country.

Meanwhile, Naija News earlier reported that available reports reveal that Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Ekiti and Enugu states record the highest numbers of uncollected PVCs in the country.

However, Ojikutu, in a statement issued on Wednesday by her media office in Lagos appealed to the electoral body to ensure a free, fair and credible election across the country.

According to her, INEC should publish the list of uncollected PVCs by the local government for easy collection.

She said, “I urge INEC to publish all unclaimed PVCs and the publication should be on a local government basis. The upcoming election should be issue-based and devoid of mudslinging that would distract the electorate to make an informed decision.

“The election management body should continue on the same trajectory that would ensure openness and transparency to forestall any violence after the election.

“The choices we make will either strengthen if we choose the right candidate or worsen the economic situation of the country if a wrong and incompetent candidate is elected,” the former deputy governor added.