New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, has expressed displeasure over the refusal of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to obey the court of appeal order to replace its candidates in the forthcoming elections.
National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Dr. Agbo Major made the party’s position known while briefing newsmen in Abuja.
Dr. Major stressed that INEC cannot seek to conduct credible elections while refusing standing Justice.
According to the NNPP National Publicity Secretary, the rule of law is the Foundation of a Democratic nation.
“The rule of law is the Foundation of a Democratic nation and INEC must obey clear directives from the court” Dr. Major stressed.
He explained that the party will resist INEC’s interference in its Internal affairs and decision to impose candidates on the party.
“It is unfortunate that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a veritable symbol of the nation’s democracy currently preparing to conduct the 2023 general election can show utter disrespect, disregard and disdain to the clear orders of the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court directing it to accept the names of the fresh candidates submitted to it by the party to replace those that withdrew their candidature and resigned from the party”
Dr. Major further explained that in Pursuant to Sections 31 and 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, the party held fresh primaries to fill vacant slots in the Kano Central Senatorial District on Thursday 8th September 2022, Taraba South Senatorial District, as well as Yobe Potiskum Central House of Assembly except the Deputy Governorship seat of Yobe State where no election is needed.
“We are aware of a grand plot to deliberately sabotage NNPP and deprive our great party the opportunity to field candidates for these critical positions, we went to court and got victory but INEC has refused to honour the court directives.
He described INEC’s refusal to do the needful as unfair, anti-democratic and impunity of the worst order and urged all lovers of democracy in Nigeria to resist the open defiance to the Court of Appeal’s judgement and order adding that Nigeria is not a Banana Republic that laws are recklessly subverted by maximum rulers and agencies.
“INEC is not above the law. It cannot choose which judgement of the court of competent jurisdiction to obey, the commission must be mindful of its actions and reactions so as not to derail the electoral process”
He therefore urged Nigerians and eligible voters to collect their permanent voter cards before the January 29, 2023 deadline set by the commission and come out en masse to vote for NNPP for a new and better Nigeria.
By Georgina Humphrey EDITED BY GRACE NAMIJI