A coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs), under the umbrella of “The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room,” have rejected the process embarked upon by the National Assembly to change the order of the 2019 general elections already set by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Recall that the House of Representatives effected the change through an unexpected amendment of the Electoral Act (2010).
But, addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, the convener of the group, Mr Clement Nwankwo, described the move by the legislatures as an unwarranted interference in the constitutional powers of INEC to determine the conduct of elections.
Nwankwo also said that it would further interfere with the powers of INEC to carry out its electoral duties without directives or control from any person or authority, using the instrumentality of legislation.
“This is unacceptable and is hereby condemned; the National Assembly needs to backtrack from passing self-serving legislation that contradicts constitutional guarantees of the independence of INEC.
“Additionally, the National Assembly needs to backtrack from passing self-serving legislations that contradicts constitutional guarantees of the independence of INEC,’’ he said.
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