The Nigerian Government has reiterated its commitment to conduct free, fair, credible, and acceptable elections in the country.
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami made the commitment at a conference organized by the Abuja chapter of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents with the theme, ‘2023 General Election; Judiciary and Sustainability of Nigeria’s Democracy’.
Malami, represented by his media aid Dr. Umar Gwandu said that, President Muhammadu Buhari’s led Administration is committed to fair, credible and violent-free electoral process in Nigeria.
He said, “it is evident in Mr. President’s recent assent to the Electoral Act, 2022 which has been applauded by many patriotic citizens, pundits and international community.”
The Attorney General said one of the major highlights of the new Electoral Act is the legal backing provided for the Electoral umpire, to deploy technology among many other commendable initiatives to bequeath a legacy of viable democratization tool.
He noted that the sustainability of Nigeria’s democracy is not linear, stressing that, citizens have vital roles to play in the democratic process and must shun all vices that are capable of undermining the progress that have been recorded so far.
He said, “in particular, the media is paramount in voter education so that the Nigerian citizens are enlighten to resist the urge of selling their votes and not to allow themselves to be used to commit electoral offences or cause violence before, during and after elections”.
Also, the Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Justice Hussain Yusuf, admitted that the Judiciary is under pressure due to unprecedented number of pre-election cases, which will definitely skyrocket after the election proper.
Represented by Justice Olukayode Adeniyi, the CJ assured that Justice will be done to all the cases without fair or favour.
Also speaking, a human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria Mr. Mike Ozekhome (SAN) commended the judiciary for living up to expectation in handling political cases in the country.
He pointed out that, the passage of the Electoral act by President Buhari will bring Democratic sustainability in Nigeria.
The Chairman of National Association of Judiciary correspondents (NAJUC), Mr. Kayode Lawal, appealed to politicians to play politics by the rules and in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.
He pointed out that the last primary elections conducted by various political parties to select candidates for the forthcoming general elections was marred by fraud, deceit and illegality.
The NAJUC Chairman lamented the upsurge in number of pre election cases pending in various courts jurisdictions across the country, and called on the judiciary to work hard to dispose all the cases on time.
There were paper presentations on Election reportage, INEC and the challenges of ICT and the role of Civil Society Organizations in elections among others.
Olusola Akintonde
