Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) and the Coalition for United Political Parties (CUPP) are urging a swift amendment to the Electoral Act in the wake of recent judgments delivered by the Supreme Court on election appeals in Zamfara, Kano, and Plateau states.
In the Zamfara case, the appeal court declared the election inconclusive, while in Kano, the governor faced removal after votes from unsigned, unstamped, and undated ballot papers were deducted from his scores.
In Plateau, the court ousted the governor and all lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for failing to comply with a court order to conduct a fresh congress. The Supreme Court justices overturned these decisions, labeling them as perverse.
Justice Emmanuel Agim, delivering judgment in the Plateau appeal, emphasized the need for the court to stay relevant in society. He remarked, “The petition by the APC and its candidates is an abuse of court process. I wonder why the matter came to court at all. The legal profession should wake up or render itself irrelevant. The judgment of the court of appeal is set aside.”
Justice John Okoro expressed concern for those who suffered a miscarriage of justice at the lower court, stating, “My only worry is that a lot of people have suffered as a result of the Court of Appeal’s decision. It was wrong. The appeal is allowed.”
Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume, SAN, highlighted the perceived injustice in the 2023 general election and called for a fresh approach to resolve electoral litigation. Ume suggested a reconsideration of the role of election petitioners, stating, “Election petitioners should no longer be seen as busybodies instead of social crusaders.”
Adegoke Rasheed, SAN, proposed either legislative intervention or a shift in judicial approach to address miscarriages of justice, clarifying that such suggestions were not an indictment on the judiciary.
The CUPP echoed these concerns, urging the National Assembly to promptly amend Sections 233(1)(e) and 246(1)(3) of the 1999 Constitution.
The proposed amendments aim to extend appellate jurisdiction for State and National Assembly election disputes to the Supreme Court, preventing injustices witnessed in various states.
As debates on electoral reforms gain momentum, stakeholders are emphasizing the imperative of addressing these issues to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
