Lawyers Divided Over Appointment Of Electoral Officers

By Olakunle Olasanmi, Abuja and Olugbenga Soyele, Lagos

Lawyers yesterday expressed divergent views over considerations of perceived partisanship on the a part of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following its appointment of electoral officers forward of the 2027 basic election.

In the current modifications at INEC, Mrs Oluyemi Titilayo Adeyemi-Showunmi, previously the Administrative Secretary of the fee’s Lagos State workplace, was redeployed because the Director of Electoral Operations on the fee. She is the spouse of Segun Showunmi, a spokesman for the Tinubu/Shettima 2027 Presidential Campaign Council.

Prof. Mustapha Aliu, recognized as an elder brother of Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, who’s searching for a second time period on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has additionally been nominated as an INEC commissioner.

According to reviews, Isah Magaji Gummi, who beforehand headed the Electoral Operations Department, was redeployed to the Voter Registry Department.

Lawyers who spoke with LEADERSHIP expressed divergent views underscoring the difficult nature of the unfolding saga.

A professor of regulation, Ajinade Louis, stated if they’re already employees of INEC, you’ll be able to’t deny them their promotions, notably when they’re due for one.

He stated on the identical time, INEC ought to be clear sufficient and never give Nigerians causes to doubt its transparency relating to the election.

He stated, “This challenge could be very difficult and it is determined by the angle everyone seems to be taking a look at it from.

“If they’re already working in INEC and they’re due for his or her promotion or elevation, you’ll be able to’t deny them their dues just because their relations are into partisan politics.

“But if they are newly appointed, then it’s in bad taste because you can’t convince ordinary Nigerians that your motive for the appointment is pure.”

Paul Ananaba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), nonetheless, disagreed with the opposition to the appointments, saying that being associated to a politician shouldn’t be a authorized floor to disqualify somebody from appointment to a statutory place or promotion within the civil service.

Ananaba additionally stated, “If the appointments meet all authorized necessities and the particular person making the appointment shouldn’t be the relation of the appointee, I don’t see something fallacious with it.

“You can’t say that as a result of they’re relations of politicians, they’re out of the blue disqualified regardless of all their {qualifications} and expertise.

“Someone who has worked for INEC for a long time without any complaint suddenly, because she is the wife of a politician, can no longer work for the country. I don’t think so,” he stated.

Also, a constitutional lawyer, Barrister Paul Arua, agreed with the submission of Prof. Louis.

According to him, INEC ought to earn the belief of Nigerians and never enable Nigerians to doubt them.

“INEC ought to be taught to earn the belief of Nigerians. You can’t make such an appointment at this essential hour of the elections and never anticipate Nigerians to boost doubts.