A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Joemartins Uzodike, has strongly criticised the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Joash Amupitan, alleging that he has already failed Nigerians even before the conduct of any election.
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Uzodike called on Amupitan to step down from his position.
He made the remarks while reacting to INEC’s withdrawal of recognition of the leadership of the ADC led by David Mark.
The lawyer described the INEC chairman’s pronouncements on the matter as disgraceful and misleading, adding that his interpretation of a court order—despite being a Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)—suggested bias.
Uzodike further accused the electoral body of relying on a court order presented by an individual, which he said reflected a deliberate misinterpretation of the law, particularly the principle of status quo ante bellum.
According to him, the actions of the INEC chairman have brought embarrassment to the legal system and created what he described as a leadership vacuum within an opposition party.
He also criticised the alleged recognition of an individual as a faction, arguing that Nafiu Bala neither has a secretary nor heads any known executive structure.
“You’ve failed Nigerians even before the election. I have been around in this country since independence and have actively participated in many elections. I make bold to say that an electoral umpire has never descended so brazenly and carelessly into the arena as we are witnessing now.
“The chairman is a Professor of Law and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. How can he not interpret the meaning of status quo ante bellum, which means to return to the position before the matter went to court?
“At what point was the ADC before Nafiu Bala went to court, and who was the chairman at that time?
“The court simply said whoever was in office should remain pending the determination of the matter, but Amupitan’s INEC is saying the ADC does not exist,” he said
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