Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has claimed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has the sole responsibility of determining the winners of elections in Nigeria and not the judiciary.

Falana stated this while answering questions on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday night.

His comments come a day after the Supreme Court upheld the election of President Bola Tinubu in the February 25 general election.

The apex court threw out the petitions from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party’s Peter Obi.

Falana has, however, noted that the country is yet to maintain a strong footing in the conduct of elections that are devoid of acrimony.

He said, “No doubt, the judgement of the Supreme Court ascended the electoral contestation as far as the presidential election conducted in February this year is concerned, but for sure, it is not a judicial endorsement of the conduct of the election by INEC.

“What I mean is that, even with the judgement, it is very clear that Nigeria has a long way to go in terms of ensuring that credible elections are conducted, elections that will be devoid of acrimony, elections that all of us will be proud of, but we are still a long way from there even with the judgement.

“Yes, for now, the presidential election is concluded; it should have been concluded in February, but it has just been concluded by the Supreme Court and it should not be so. The judiciary should not determine the winners of elections.”

GuruboiNaija:
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has claimed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has the sole responsibility of determining the winners of elections in Nigeria and not the judiciary.

Falana stated this while answering questions on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday night.

His comments come a day after the Supreme Court upheld the election of President Bola Tinubu in the February 25 general election.

The apex court threw out the petitions from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party’s Peter Obi.

Falana has, however, noted that the country is yet to maintain a strong footing in the conduct of elections that are devoid of acrimony.

He said, “No doubt, the judgement of the Supreme Court ascended the electoral contestation as far as the presidential election conducted in February this year is concerned, but for sure, it is not a judicial endorsement of the conduct of the election by INEC.

“What I mean is that, even with the judgement, it is very clear that Nigeria has a long way to go in terms of ensuring that credible elections are conducted, elections that will be devoid of acrimony, elections that all of us will be proud of, but we are still a long way from there even with the judgement.

“Yes, for now, the presidential election is concluded; it should have been concluded in February, but it has just been concluded by the Supreme Court and it should not be so. The judiciary should not determine the winners of elections.”

https://.ng/2023/10/28/supreme-court-shouldnt-determine-winners-of-elections-falana/

netpro:
The highest court in the land has ruled. This matter is concluded in its finality.

Every disgruntled elements that still harbour any reservations can shove it down their own throat, walk the Sahara or swim the Atlantic. They will not be missed.

We mooove!

JealousCobra:





Tifnubu's headaches just begun 🕶️🤔

Cantonese:
As long as we retain horrible politicians and a very horrible INEC, final decisions will continue to be taken by the tribunals, appeal courts and Supreme Court. Infact we all now know that election results are declared in two stages by INEC and the courts. If you fail at the INEC stage, then expect the courts to award it to you.

No wonder one person who came out fourth in tbe election was declared the winner by the Supreme Court.

netpro:
Jagaban, the hottest brand in Africa at the moment. Everyone is just trying to catch cruise and relevance with his name.

INEC. and not the Court declares election winners.

The court is for those who are not satisfied with the exercise approach, present. their case and seek redress.

Someone knows this, especially Oga Falana. But as I said, it is what it is - everyone seeking relevance with the hottest brand in the continent.

jude79:



It's like I need to beat you up, before you get sense

netpro:


Guy agam eti gi don't tell anybody. You no dey look face before ibido nzuzu?

nairalanda1:
The basic problem is, as one FEDECO offical said in 1979, that Nigerian politicans don't believe an election is free and fair unless THEY win.

Look, we can do an election by electronic voting in this country, where all the votes are transferred real time to a central server in Abuja which spits out data on demand by the minute....so that everyone can follow, and which gives the final result one hour after closing....and the loser is going to come out and say that either INEC was manipulating the result, or the result was hacked and that is why they lost....and then off to court they go.

I am looking at the APC supporters with amusement. When they were in opposition, they were complaining about irregularities. Now they are in power, and nothing is wrong with INEC?

Anyway, we can have free and fair elections in Nigeria, it is just that politicans have to get rid of their do or die attitudes.

Zxcvbnmghtr:


Am looking at Peter Obi and his followers obidients who praised the court when it awarded governorship to Peter Obi but today are criticizing the same court for not making him win through the court to become President.

nairalanda1:


Which still goes to prove my point. And it is a problem all parties face.

APC gets the shot because they are running the show, and have had enough time to reform INEC, but they did not do it well enough

Zxcvbnmghtr:


It only proves that you are butt hurt.

nairalanda1:




Am apolitical, old boy.

Zxcvbnmghtr:


That's a mere fantasy and self deception.

nairalanda1:


That's what you think. And you are free to think it. I've long learned the hard way that if a Nairalander thinks you are a peacock, he will maintain that belief when you show him proof that you are a duck in reality.

But no, I am apolitical. I may clap for the government of the day when they do well, I may even explain why government has to take x decsion, or why it should take y decision now, I may even tell people why Nigeria is poor is not a one man decision.

But support your party, or the other party? No thanks, ye are all the same.

Anyway, I can't convince you, so enjoy.

Zxcvbnmghtr:


You are butt hurt and hiding behind a so called 'apolitical'.

nairalanda1:


No. Your tinubu, their obi, their atiku, they are all the same.

Better we get a government that would get us industrialized.