Why Amupitan must remain resolute, by Kola Amzat 

Since 1979 when Nigeria embraced democratic government up till the turn of 4th Republic in 1999, the assignment of INEC Chairman has always been a difficult and onerous one. Perhaps, the most problematic assignment after that of the president is the job of INEC helmsman.

In every election cycle, they’ve always been there-avowed enemies of the democratic order, recruited and planted by DEMOCRATIC DEFIANTs essentially to frustrate the course of the electoral process.

Nigerians vividly recall the ignoble and despicable role of deceased Senator Arthur Nzeribe during the 1993 presidential elections. Indeed, he was planted as a hatchet man to bring to a halt the audacious efforts of the then electoral helmsman, Professor Humphrey Nwosu, who wanted to brace all the hurdles to declare Aare MKO Abiola as the president after the business mogul triumphed at the polls.

In Nigerian recent history-precisely 2015, the likes of Godwin Orubebe, Osita Chidoka and their cohorts almost had their way in truncating mid-way the declaration of the deceased president, Muhammud Buhari victorious after the retired general triumphed over the then sitting president, Goodluck Jonathan.

Defiantly acting on the express mandate of their political pay-masters, they almost succeeded in bringing the roof of the Abuja venue where the declaration of results was taken place.      

On related note, it’s instructive to submit that while 2023 presidential elections were been declared, the same set of democratic defiant threw decency and decorum into dustbin, moved around the FCT with bottled anger and venoms with frantic efforts to cow and subdue the then INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu to discontinue the declaration of the results when it dawned on them they were losing out.

When it became impossible for them to bully and overpower the professor, they resorted to cultivating military authority to intervene   forcefully by taking over the government.

The question remains: why should Professor Amupitan be bothered and concerned with the present antics and theatrics of the enemies of democracy?

Why should he be distracted by their despicable and destructive tendency aimed at bringing the country to its knees?

Why should the eminent Professor of Law and respected Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) be perturbed and be cowed by the avowed enemies of the Nigeria nation who don’t give a damn in their attempt to ensure that the nation is on its knees in order to realize their inordinate ambition.

The show of shame displayed by Atiku Abubakar, David Mark and other co-travelers in ADC boat at Abuja INEC office which they temporarily occupied, shamelessly protesting, casting doubts and aspersions on INEC and its Chairman, clamouring for the resignation of the commission’s helmsman, was indeed characteristics of the modus operandi of nation political rejects, who always attempt to bully and muscle the electoral umpire to submission, with the aim and objective to ultimately truncate the electoral process.

It’s also characterized by their strategy to always attempt to cast the commission in the mold of partisan agency, with a view to inciting the public against the all-important commission.

What was the alleged offence of INEC Chairman? He opted to enforce the rule of law as it is stipulated, as well as adhere strictly to the rules prescribed by the Electoral Act guiding the conduct and affairs of the political parties.

Succinctly put: mark factional ADC leadership hierarchy attempted to upturn the provisions of the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, as well as INEC Regulations and Guidelines.

The demand that political parties must strictly adhere to due process, internal democracy, as well as strict compliance to Electoral provisions as contained in the 1999, as amended didn’t make any sense and meaning to ADC leadership hierarchy, as they jettisoned all the provisions and prescribed guidelines, all in their desperation to occupy Aso Villa.

They also continually indulge in destructive and nefarious political activities that only expose their political naivety and deficiency.

In navigating the complex and thorny path, as well as avoiding the possibility of being encumbered in the trap of intra-party conflict, INEC  resolved to religiously stick to law which is the fulcrum and key regulator of political associations.

In derecognizing David Mark’s ADC factional leadership, INEC only complied with the Appellate Court judgment that “status quo ante bellum be maintained”.   

The Commission position is essentially to prevent a similar situation that manifested in Plateau and Zamfara states during 2023 gubernatorial and house of assembly elections, where duly elected officials were all removed in one fell swoop by the Election Tribunal on account of disobedience to the court judgment.

Also, it’s illogical for INEC Chairman with the sufficient knowledge of rule and consequences of disobedience, engage in any act that would render court processes already filed at Federal High Court a nullity.

To this extent, attending ADC convention by INEC for the purpose of monitoring the exercise would have amounted to total disobedience of court order.

The crux of this write-up remains: INEC Chairman has an important work to do for the nation and must respond accordingly regardless of distractions, attacks and assaults.

First, Professor Amupitan, an erudite scholar and well-respected professor of law was appointed at a defining and auspicious time when democracy has already attained an appreciable momentum of stability, after about three decades of non-interruption.

The onus is on INEC Chairman to courageously move to consolidate the momentum, with a view to ensuring that Nigeria is accorded its eminent status as bastion of democracy in Sub-Sahara Africa.

Second, with the president’s audacious reforms in economy and oil & gas sector anchored on fuel subsidy removal and unification of exchange rates, development that already positively yielding manifold results– galloping foreign reserves, boosting of foreign & local investors in the nation economy, availing substantial funds to the three tiers of governments for developmental purposes, the international community and foreign associations particularly the UN, as well as other financial associations across the globe are beginning to take Nigeria serious, a development that could attracts manifold benefits to the country, particularly, the LONG-SOUGHT AFTER PERMANENT MEMBER OF UN Security Council.

But, the onus remains on Nigeria to ensure the vibrancy and stability of its democracy. And, this can only be achieved through a credible, resourceful and robust electoral process. Of course, no country without democratic cultures and practices would be accorded UN permanent Security Council members. It’s therefore incumbent on Professor Amupitan to ensure that the nation’s electoral process is continually strong enough to support our democracy, with a view to continually attracting the respect of the globe.

Third, it’s also important for the professor to be resolute and decisive as he’s carrying the democratic aspirations and hopes of more than 230 million people that populate Nigeria, the most populous black nation across the globe.

Nigeria, a vast country, prodigiously diversified in cultures, languages, ethnicity and religion has been projected to be an emerging power and economic bloc in the global affairs in the years ahead.

The above would be a mirage without sound democratic practice and experiment. It therefore behooves the professor to ensure that this aspiration is indeed manifest and this can’t be achieved without dogged, audacious and bold efforts of the commission and the professor to continually ensure robust and vitality of the nation’s electoral process.  .

Finally, it’s germane to stress to Professor Amupitan; the enemies of democracy would continue to be there- those who have vowed that over their bodies would the country prosper and flourish democratically, especially, if they’re not having their way.

For emphasis, the likes of Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Babachir Lawal, Odigie-Oyegun, Saminu Turaki would continue to be in the political sphere, serially contesting, but, without success at polls.

They would continue to deploy antics and plots to undermine and frustrate the nation’s electoral process, as well as distract the entire nation, crying wolf where there is none.

The onus lies on the Professor and its team to continually remain resolute, relentless and unwavering. They must be mindful of the fact that they are only responsible and accountable to the president, government and Nigerian people, and not pander to the whims and caprices of those who don’t wish the nation well.    .

Kola AMZAT (FCA, FCIB),Lagos based Financial & Management Consultants,09077509348.