The candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 Imo State governorship election, Senator Athan Achonu, has described the Independent National Electoral Commission as another arm of the ruling All Progressive Congress.
Achonu made the claim in a chat with newsmen on Wednesday, in Owerri while reacting to last Friday’s Supreme Court judgment on the Imo governorship election.
The court had affirmed Governor Hope Uzodinma as the winner of the governorship poll.
Achonu said the country’s democracy has turned into a circus.
He said, “It has become painfully evident that the Independent National Electoral Commission has become another arm of the ruling party, the APC, turning our entire democratic institution into a mere circus.”
“Today marks a significant moment in our collective journey to bring transformative change to our dear Imo State. After a legal battle that traversed the tribunal, the Appeal Court, and finally, the Supreme Court, the judiciary delivered its verdict on the suit I filed challenging the results of the November 11, 2023, governorship election.”
He also frowned at the attitude of the judiciary on election matters.
He added, “The audacity of this practice, where the judiciary’s pronouncements outweigh the people’s votes, should alarm every patriotic Nigerian.
“It is worthy of mention that a dangerous and unhealthy political culture has been introduced by the ruling party, the APC.
“They manipulate election results and, in a brazen display of arrogance, tell the opposition to go to court. It is clear now that in Nigeria, it is no longer the people who decide who wins an election; it is the judiciary.
“Unfortunately, the judiciary is not able to ensure INEC does the right thing in election petition matters such as this.
Reacting to the allegation, INEC’s spokesperson in Imo State, MaryAnn Gods light, said, “INEC is as independent as stipulated by the constitution of Nigeria. You cannot judge the commission by one man’s personal opinion.”
Imo State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Cajethan Duke, told The PUNCH that Achonu’s claim is laughable, ridiculous and delusional.
He said, “Is this not laughable, ridiculous and delusional?
“The allegation against an institution that has continued to earn the confidence of international communities in their efforts to deepen democracy in Nigeria is baseless.” (PUNCH)
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