By Milcah Tanimu
Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, has sharply criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary for their roles in the 2023 general elections. Speaking at the 1st Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC) Roundtable in Abuja, Amadi accused these institutions of undermining the integrity of the election process.
Amadi, a lawyer and former Imo State governorship candidate under the Labour Party, argued that INEC failed to adhere to its own regulations. Specifically, he pointed out that INEC had mandated the electronic transmission of results from polling units but did not follow through on this promise.
He also criticized the judiciary for not addressing these failures. According to Amadi, the judiciary’s refusal to nullify elections that did not comply with established rules further compromised the electoral process. He expressed disappointment that the Supreme Court upheld INEC’s deviations from legal requirements, suggesting that this decision was a betrayal of democratic principles.
Amadi contended that Nigeria’s election strategy is marred by bribery, claiming that success in elections often hinges on corrupt practices involving the judiciary, INEC, and security agencies. He emphasized that while the Electoral Act may have its flaws, the rules it set were clear and should have been enforced.
“In any democratic system, elections are won through strategy. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, this strategy often involves bribing key institutions,” Amadi said. He called for reforms to ensure that elections are conducted in accordance with the law and expressed concern over the heavy burden placed on the judiciary due to INEC’s failures.
Amadi’s remarks underscore ongoing frustrations with Nigeria’s electoral system and highlight the need for substantial reforms to restore faith in the democratic process.
