Joemartins Uzodike, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has criticized the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, accusing him of failing Nigerians even before any election takes place.
Uzodike’s remarks came after INEC withdrew recognition of the David Mark-led leadership of the ADC. The lawyer described Amupitan’s statements on the matter as “disgraceful and mischievous.”
He further accused the electoral commission of bias, saying, “The interpretation of a court order by INEC under Amupitan’s leadership, despite his status as a Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), shows deliberate ignorance of the law, particularly the meaning of status quo ante bellum.”
Uzodike argued that INEC’s action had embarrassed the legal system, claiming the commission used a court order to create a leadership vacuum in an opposition party.
He questioned the recognition of Nafiu Bala as a faction leader, noting, “Nafiu Bala neither has a secretary nor leads any known executive committee.”
He added: “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.”