SDP Party Advocate for Total Independence For INEC

The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Malam Shehu Gabam, has called for true independence for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He believes that this would add credibility to Nigeria’s elections and boost the country’s electoral processes. He also called on the three arms of government – the executive, judiciary, and legislature – to act within the law and work together to improve the electoral system.

Gabam believes that with the proper independence and support, INEC can deliver credible elections that will be respected by the people of Nigeria.

According to Malam Gabam, while INEC did its best in the 2023 general election and the off-cycle election, its performance is still affected by the influence of the executive branch of government. He points out that, by law, the executive branch is responsible for appointing the INEC chairman, national commissioners, and RECs.

This means that the executive branch has a significant influence over the commission and its ability to conduct free and fair elections. However, despite this, Gabam believes that INEC has made a good effort to ensure the delivery of election materials and the deployment of staff.

In addition to the influence of the executive branch, Gabam also highlights the fact that the judiciary plays a role in shaping the electoral process. The judiciary is responsible for interpreting the laws governing elections, and its decisions can significantly impact the outcome of elections. Gabam believes that all three branches of government – the executive, the judiciary, and the legislature – must work together to ensure the independence of INEC and the credibility of the electoral process. This is essential for building trust in the electoral system and ensuring that the people of Nigeria can have faith in the democratic process.