The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) declared on Saturday that the judiciary poses a greater threat to Nigeria’s democracy than the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
This assertion follows comments by Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, who claimed that INEC was not the main problem.
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Peter Obi, while delivering a keynote speech at the fifth memorial of late Justice Anthony Aniagolu at Godfrey Okoye University in Enugu, stated, “Whenever democracy is discussed, fingers point to the Independent National Electoral Commission as the problem. But INEC is not the problem, instead, the judiciary is. The judiciary is the biggest threat to Nigeria. If our judiciary is effective, our businesses will thrive.”
The AYCF, led by National President Yerima Shettima, supported Obi’s stance, stating it aligns with their long-held belief in INEC’s credibility under Prof. Mahmood Yakubu’s leadership.
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The group argued that INEC has consistently demonstrated fairness, impartiality, and transparency in its conduct of elections, reinforcing the commission’s reputation.
Shettima emphasized the importance of strong institutions like INEC in maintaining democratic integrity.
He condemned any alleged judicial interference in electoral matters, asserting that the judiciary’s role should be confined to adjudicating legal disputes and upholding the rule of law, not determining election outcomes.
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“The AYCF firmly believes that strong and independent institutions such as INEC are essential in preserving the democratic fabric of our nation. We commend INEC for its dedication to ensuring the integrity of the electoral process and safeguarding the democratic rights of Nigerian citizens,” he said.
The AYCF urged all stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organizations, and the media, to support and strengthen INEC to preserve Nigeria’s democracy. They warned that undermining INEC’s credibility would harm the nation’s democratic progress.
Shettima called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and actively participate in the electoral process, emphasizing the need to uphold democratic principles.
