ADC Crisis: Resign, You Have Failed Nigerians–-Uzodike Tells Amupitan
Chief Joemartins Uzodike, a Chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on Prof. Joash Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to honourably resign from his position.
Uzodike, an elder statesman made the call in a Statement issued on Sunday while reacting to INEC’s withdrawal of recognition of the Sen. David Mark leadership of ADC.
Uzodike, also a lawyer, said he was disappointed by what he considered a disgraceful and mischievous
Interpretation of a court order by INEC under the chairmanship of Amupitan who was a professor of law and senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
He said the Amupitan’s INEC did not only fail to hide their bias by relying on an order submitted to it by an individual but also displayed deliberate ignorance of the law by pretending to not to know what Status Quo Antebellum meant or where it should be applied.
He said the action of the INEC chairman had brought serious embarrassment to the legal system community by relying on a court order to create a leadership void in an opposition political party where nature abhors one.
The three-time member of the Old and New Anambra state government Executive Council said INEC should stop regarding and interpreting an individual as a faction because Nafiu Balas neither has secretary nor lead any executive committee
“I have been around in this country since independence and I have been actively part of many elections in Nigeria, I make bold to say that an electoral umpire has never descended so brazenly and carelessly into the arena as we have now.
“The Chairman is a professor of law and a senior advocate, how can he not be able to interpret the meaning of Status Quo Antebellum which means go back to where you were before you came to court.
“At what point was ADC before Nafiu Bala went to court, who was the chairman at that time ?
“The court simply said whosoever was there should continue before the matter is determined but Amupitan’s INEC is saying ADC does not exist and this is not true.
“The INEC chairman has failed the law, he has shown he is not capable of presiding over our electoral affairs without bias, he should resign,” he said.
Uzodike said Amupitan should have been concerned about saving and strengthening Nigeria’s democracy rather than serving the interest of a few who wished to destroy it.
He said the TV interview of the INEC chairman also showed he was acting under intense pressure.
“INEC destroyed the Res by contemptuously removing ADC leadership when the court ordered all parties INEC inclusive to maintain the Status quo.
“From his demeanor on TV interview, it is clear that the INEC chairman is not a man of himself, for someone who has risen to the position of Deputy Vice Chancellor of a university, a professor and SAN, he should be a man of honour,” he said.
