Professor Mahmoud Yakubu ,the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had complained that the commission is currently facing 600 court cases that arose over the nomination candidates for the 2023 general election. He made this statement on the 7th of November,2022 being on Monday. He spoke lengthly on the capability building organised by the Appeal court for election petition Tribunal members .
INEC Chairman made it known to the public that the most case seeking a redress from the court to compel INEC to accept their nominations were originated after the time allowed by law of nominations. Also despite the enormity of the matters in court, Yakubu assured that the electoral body will abide by the rules and regulations governing it.
He cautioned high courts to reject the temptation or any attempt that might arise to review the judgement of the court. From his utmost experience, he mentioned that INEC has found that most politicians and political parties are litigation-happy, dragging the electoral body on frivolous and vexatious issues.
Yakubu made it clear that the 2023 general elections would bring better and wonderful experience into Nigeria’s political space, being the first to be conducted after the repeal of the 2010 Electoral Act and the first since the advent of the 2022 new Electoral Act that gives legal backing to the use of technology in the conduct of elections in the country. He also assured that the upcoming election will be a free and fair one and no form of rigging or any illicit act shall take place.
