BREAKING: “This Is Not Time To Flex Muscle” — Ugochinyere Tells INEC

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House of Representatives member for Ideato North and South, Ikenga Ugochinyere, has called on INEC chairman Professor Joash Amupitan to avoid contesting a recent Federal High Court judgment on the electoral timetable, warning that appealing it would create uncertainty months before the election.

Speaking at a press briefing posted by Symfoni TV, Ugochinyere said the judgment by Justice M.G. Umar addressed timelines that are firmly set in the constitution and upheld by the Supreme Court.

He argued that once a timeline is established by a principal act, it cannot be altered, and attempting to do so through appeals would only generate instability and doubt around the credibility of the process.

Ugochinyere noted that the court ruling affects several opposition parties, including the ZLP, Accord Party, ADC, and APP, and has implications for Governor Ademola Adeleke seeking to contest in Osun and for over 2,000 aspirants for the House of Representatives and governorship positions.

He said the political parties affected are satisfied with the judgment and have accepted it, and there is no need for INEC to act as if it is more concerned than the parties themselves.

He urged the commission to focus on adjusting aspects of the timetable related to substitution of candidates, end of campaigns, and publication of particulars, rather than pursuing legal battles. According to Ugochinyere, appealing at this stage would give the impression that INEC is biased and would distract from delivering a seamless election.

He said that democracy thrives on participation and inclusiveness, and anything that expands the space for Nigerians to contest should be welcomed.

In his words, “So you (INEC) owe a duty to the country to ensure that the electoral process is seamless. This is not time to flex muscle, to fight over these constitutional interpretations because most of them have to do with the timelines and most of them are status supported.”

“So my advice is to urge the electoral commission to waive the possibility of an appeal. The country cannot afford to sit on the fence as we go to election, waiting for what the appeal court will do, what the Supreme Court will do.”