Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani has urged candidates excluded from the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) final list to accept the outcome. In a statement on his Facebook page, Mr. Sani cited a Supreme Court ruling that grants INEC the authority to enforce electoral guidelines. He believes further legal challenges would be futile. The ruling effectively bars parties from substituting candidates outside statutory deadlines or legal orders. This advice comes after several high-profile politicians were omitted from the list.
The INEC final list was published amid reactions from various quarters. Several prominent party candidates were excluded due to ongoing party leadership disputes, non-compliance with nomination guidelines, and binding judicial pronouncements. Ladi Adebutu from Ogun State, PDP, was among those omitted due to internal litigation and conflicting primary outcomes. His candidacy and that of his running mate were not recognized. This development has generated mixed reactions from the public and politicians.
Shehu Sani also appealed to legal practitioners, particularly Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) and barristers. He urged them to act in good faith and not encourage politicians to engage in costly, unsuccessful litigations. According to Mr. Sani, it is essential for lawyers to 'pity' those candidates and advise them to strategize for future elections rather than mislead them into spending more money on fresh suits.
The Supreme Court had reaffirmed INEC's mandate to strictly enforce electoral guidelines. This ruling has significant implications for candidates who were excluded from the list. INEC's decision to adhere only to validly monitored primaries has barred parties from substituting candidates outside stipulated deadlines or legal orders. This move aims to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
Several prominent names were affected by INEC's decision. In Gombe State, Isa Pantami's name was omitted despite winning a court-ordered rerun primary. Pantami had defected from the APC to the PDP after alleging irregularities in the primary. Similarly, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate in Kano State, Aminu Abdulsalam, was left out due to his party's non-compliance with candidate submission protocols.
The exclusion of these candidates has sparked debate about the credibility of the electoral process. While some argue that INEC's decision is a necessary step towards ensuring electoral integrity, others believe that it may disenfranchise voters who had supported the excluded candidates. As the election approaches, it remains to be seen how this development will impact the political landscape.
Ultimately, Shehu Sani's advice to excluded candidates is to focus on future elections. He believes that rather than engaging in costly and unsuccessful litigations, candidates should strategize for the next election cycle. With four years to go before the next elections, candidates have ample time to regroup and plan for future contests.
Key points
- Shehu Sani advises excluded candidates not to file fresh lawsuits.
- INEC's final list excluded several high-profile politicians due to non-compliance with electoral guidelines.
- The Supreme Court ruling grants INEC authority to enforce electoral guidelines and adhere to validly monitored primaries.
