In a standing display of trust and confidence, the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has reiterated its unwavering belief in the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Forum’s President General, Yerima Shettima, issued a statement reaffirming their longstanding conviction that INEC is a reputable institution that consistently upholds the principles of fairness, impartiality, and transparency in conducting elections.
The AYCF’s trust in INEC was further solidified by recent comments made by Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party.
Obi acknowledged that the judiciary, rather than INEC, poses the greatest challenge to Nigeria’s democracy. This acknowledgment aligns with the AYCF’s stance and reinforces their belief in the integrity of INEC.
Shettima emphasized that the AYCF has consistently maintained that INEC is a credible, impartial, and unbiased institution that consistently conducts credible elections.
The Forum’s position has now been vindicated by Obi’s remarks, which affirm that INEC is not the primary obstacle to democratic electoral practices in Nigeria.
The AYCF has always stressed the importance of strong institutions like INEC in ensuring the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
Shettima explained that the detrimental impact of the judiciary assuming the role of the sole arbiter in election matters cannot be overlooked.
Therefore, the AYCF firmly believes that strong and independent institutions such as INEC are essential in preserving the democratic fabric of our nation.
The Forum further condemned any undue interference or overreach by the judiciary in electoral affairs.
They firmly believe that the judiciary’s role in electoral matters should be limited to adjudicating legal disputes and upholding the rule of law, rather than assuming the primary responsibility for determining electoral outcomes.
Such interference undermines the credibility and legitimacy of the electoral process and poses a threat to the foundations of democracy in Nigeria.
In light of these convictions, the AYCF called on all stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organizations, and the media, to support and uphold the independence of INEC in conducting free, fair, and credible elections.
It is through the collective effort of all stakeholders that the democratic process can be strengthened, ensuring that the will of the people is respected and upheld.
