Delisting ADC Leaders: Political Scientists Say INEC Resorted To Self-help

The Political Scientists Association of Nigeria (NPSA), has criticised the decision of  the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stop  recognising the David Mark- led executive committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The NPSA made its position known in a statement titled:  “Let the Rule of Law Prevail!” and signed by its president, Prof. Hassan Saliu.

The association described the action of the commission to self-help.

The statement read in part, “INEC appeared to have resorted to self-help on the matter three weeks after the judgment was given, giving it an elastic definition that bordered on the issue of status quo. It summarily declared the claimants to the party leadership guilty as charged and would cease communicating with either of the feuding executive committees.

” There are three better ways INEC could have followed instead of its crisis-laden path on the matter.

It should have remained consistent in its position by continuing to recognise the Mark-led executive committee until the courts decide otherwise. After all, it was not under any pressure to do so at the time it did.

“The second path would have been to wait a while for the courts to give a clearer directive on the path it has taken, rather than being pressured by one of the parties to do so, which would have carried more legal and moral force.

“The last option would have been to approach the court for the correct interpretations of its initial declaration in place of the controversial legal path it has followed,” the association said.

It, therefore, called on INEC to have greater confidence in the judiciary by ensuring that the rule of law prevails at all times, noting that, “Democracy, which the country claims to practice, will be in perennial danger when the regulators of its process are impatient with the law.”

“We also call on our politicians to pay attention to the details of their actions or protocols; a little more reflection on their part would have saved the nation the situation that the ADC contestations are causing the country and its democracy.

“The ruling party should allow opposition parties to breathe, as their existence and robustness provide the oxygen democracy needs in the country. Let all respect the rule of law,” it added.