Fred Nzeako, a constitutional lawyer and policy analyst, has criticised the growing role of courts in settling political disputes in Nigeria, saying elections should remain the final point of decision-making for voters.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Sunday, Nzeako reviewed the Supreme Court rulings involving disputes within major opposition parties, including the PDP and ADC, and the wider pattern of pre-election litigation.
“Elections should be lost and won at the ballot, not on the bench, there was nothing to appeal INEC is still in the eye of the storm, very well in the eye of the storm.”
Nzeako said repeated resort to courts by political actors shifts attention away from internal party processes and public voting. “What interpretation you’re giving of this Sotusmu Antebegum is a wrong interpretation that was the top mistake made by INEC.You don’t need to run to the court of appeal, go back to the Federal High Court until there is a decision.”
He pointed to disagreements within party structures where different factions challenge leadership decisions. “There have been errors, institutional errors, committed by the various institutions involved in these issues, five institutions were involved in ADC matter. The Federal High Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court.”
Nzeako said it weakens internal party discipline and increases reliance on judicial interpretation before elections are held. “You were only asked to come and show course you don’t have to run to the court of appeal. The Supreme Court now said you would have gone back to the High Court. It was wrong. It was a mistake.
There was nothing to appeal. The Court of Appeal does not have jurisdiction to arrest proceedings at the Federal High Court. ADC itself, INEC as a political party, I mean, as an umpire, ADC as a party, as an institution.”
He also said electoral bodies and courts have sometimes been drawn into interpreting party leadership. “INEC made a third mistake, By going to misinterpret status quo ante bellum that was a wrong interpretation.There was nothing to appeal, the Supreme Court now corrected that INEC now quickly went and returned their names to the portal.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
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