The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary have been charged by the Catalyst Committee, a pressure group within the Labour Party (LP) chapter in Edo State, to resist political pressure and instead demonstrate compliance with the law and the Electoral Act as amended in 2022.
The call was made against the backdrop of the legal challenge to Olumide Akpata’s Edo State candidature filed by Barr. Kenneth Imansuangbon, an LP candidate for governor.
The Catalyst Committee stated in a statement released by the group’s coordinator, Dr. Abel Oarhe, which was sighted by GTN, that the call was required because certain “money bags” were purportedly trying to ensure that justice was not served and, as a result, subvert the will of the people.
The group noted that democracy cannot advance in the nation until justice is served in the gubernatorial candidature controversy in a statement provided to media on Thursday in Benin City.
Additionally, it issued a warning, stating that any attempt by the electoral body to change the objective would cause instability in the country’s political system and ultimately destroy the public’s faith in INEC.
Recall that Imansuangbon had taken LP governorship candidate Akpata to Federal High Courts in Benin City and Abuja, asking them to interpret the Constitution in relation to Akpata’s candidature for Edo State governor.
Imasuagbon had claimed, among other things, that Akpata was unfit to have taken part in the LP primary election due to a situation involving the dissemination of false information and dual citizenship.
He emphasised that the concerns at hand violated the nation’s 1999 constitution (as amended), in addition to the party and INEC standards.
As a result, the group made the statement, “INEC should know that Olumide Akpata is not the only candidate running for governor; there are 16 other candidates as well.
Therefore, it is imperative that the judiciary and INEC avoid giving the impression that they are changing the rules and disregarding the law. “The integrity of INEC and Judiciary is at stake not just about the issue of Olumide but issue of democracy and rule of law in Edo State because the other 16 political parties will not fold their arms because someone is boasting to shift the goal post.
“It is sacrosanct to note that obedience to the rule of law is part of the requirement to contest an election.
“It must be emphasised that inability to obey the law is a clear ground for disqualification. So nobody should pamper any candidate who has deliberately violated the provision of the electoral laws or INEC guideline.
“Whoever disobeys the law, the consequences are there and it should be applied and that is why Kenneth Imansuangbon has gone to court to rescue the party.
“INEC must be very careful that Nigerians are not too happy but should always seize the opportunity to redeem their image when such opportunity comes up by ensuring that the law is strictly followed.
“The Judiciary and INEC should know that the people are watching and it is not about Olumide of Labour Party but the entire process.” The statement concluded.
