The Abuja School of Social and Political Thought (ASSPT) has advocated further amendment of Nigeria’s Constitution to allow conclusion of litigations before the inauguration of winners that emerged from elections.
The Director of the school, Dr Sam Amadi, related this at a launch of a report titled on “Election without Democracy: Explanatory Notes on Nigeria’s 2023 elections.”
However, the event was organized by the Centre for Public Policy and Research (CPPR) in partnership with ASSPT, to review the outcome of the 2023 general elections and provide recommendations.
Concluding the litigation before inauguration of the new administration, according to Amadi, will solve half of the challenges the country is currently facing as well reduce the burden on the judiciary.
“In the report, we looked at the build-up, preparation and others.
“There shouldn’t be any government formed when there are pending court cases yet to be concluded. It is actually illogical to ensure all cases end before inauguration.
“People should not be disfranchised, the electoral umpire should be transparent and accountable, and INEC should make rules based on fairness and not bias,” he asserted.
Consequently, Amadi also advised Nigerians to accept the decisions of the judiciary on the various litigations at the judiciary.
“Nigerian judges are well trained and have the capacity to do justice. Once the court has spoken, we should all obey them,” Amadi stated.
He also commended Justice Flora Azinge, the Chairman, State and House of Representatives Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Kano, who publicly raised an alarm that some individual lawyers arguing their petitions before the tribunal, attempted to obstruct the course of justice with financial inducement.
Azinge, addressing the open court on Tuesday shortly before calling the first matter, revealed how a senior member of the bar offered one of her staff N10 million bribe for onward delivery to the panel.
