PENELLIST URGES ELECTORAL BODY NOT TO RELINQUISH RESPONSIBILITIES TO COURTS 22-03-24
By Sadiq Aminu The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has been advised to always reflect the wishes of the people in its conduct instead of subjecting it’s work to judicial interpretation.
This were part of the submissions of Governor Caleb Mutfwang at an Annual Colloquium organised by a Non Governmental organization, NGO, held at the Yar’adua Centre, Central Business District, Abuja.
Delivering a Keynote address at this year’s event, Governor Caleb Mutfwang opined that leadership was critical to the development of every nation and emphasized the need for the electoral body to put electoral and judicial reforms on the front burner in its activities.
He stressed the importance of safe guarding the basic principles of law, delineation of constituencies, restructuring of party administrations and ideologies for the development of the country’s democracy.
In another keynote address, a human rights activist and lead counsel Falana and Falana Chambers, Femi Falana SAN pointed out that it was not the business of the courts to determine election winners.
Earlier, chairman of the occasion and former president, Goodluck Jonathan represented by former Vice President, Namadi Sambo expressed optimism that the takeaway from the discussion would help change the political narrative.
In a goodwill message, the Mayor of Entebbe, Uganda, Fabrice Rulinga regretted the concept of elections in Nigeria, which he noted was materialistic rather than idealistic.
On his part, Chairman of the Foundation, Dr Alfred Skari expressed confidence that the outcome of the Colloquium would assist in strengthening democracy in the country.