Disregard of court judgments by parties worries INEC, says Yakubu
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Mahmood Yakubu on Wednesday lamented the disregard for superior court judgments by politicians and political parties, poi ting out that such hampering the aspirations of persons who seek to represent their people at the different levels of government.
This is even as Prof. Yakubu urged political parties to desist from reviving legal cases which superior courts had passed judgment on.
The INEC Chairman sad these while speaking at a capacity building workshop for leaders of political parties which held in Abuja.
He particularly frowned at the spate of disrespect for superior court judgements by political parties which, according to him, has affected the activities of the commission.
The INEC Chairman blamed unwarranted litigations from some political parties and their candidates for stalling the conduct of the Anambra central senatorial district election, stressing that the parties revisited cases that had already been given judgment on by the Supreme Court.
His words, “We are here to discuss so many issues like inclusive participation and internal democracy in political parties.
“We must try very hard to reduce the level of litigations among the politicians and political parties, even those cases that have been decided by superior courts are sometimes subjected to further litigations by political parties. Political party leaders must respect judgement of superior courts.
“It is these unnecessary litigations that have led to the non conduct of the Anamnbra Central senatorial election till date because parties went back to challenge the judgement of superior courts at the lower courts.
“It is also necessary that parties must embrace the alternative dispute resolution process rather than approaching the courts at all times,” Yakubu tasked the political party leaders”, he said.
He harped on the need for the political parties to improve on internal democracy.
Yakubu disclosed that the political parties had agreed to work with INEC in the areas of party financing and inclusiveness.
Speaking on behalf of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) Chief Sam Eke pledged the support of political parties to the intent of the workshop, saying that “all the lessons will be implemented and that parties won’t remain the same.”
His words, “We will come out better to meet international standard.”
Earlier in her opening remarks, the Commissioner in charge of Political party monitoring committee of INEC, Professor Antonia Okoosi-Simbine noted that the aim of the two day workshop was the enhancement of capacity of political parties to play their roles in providing the vehicle for presenting competent and credible candidates for elective offices.
