Nigeria presidential election not worthy legacy – Adegboruwa attacks INEC

Human rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa has expressed disappointment over the conduct of Nigeria’s presidential poll.

“The presidential election of February 25, 2023 cannot be portrayed as a worthy legacy for our dear country,” the Senior Advocate declared in a statement sent to newsmen.

Adegboruwa berated the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, over administrative and logistical inadequacies.

The legal luminary recalled that for the general election, funding was provided ahead of time to enable the umpire create a free, fair and credible process.

He lamented cases of intimidation, harassment of voters, corruption of the process, manipulation of results by politicians, among others.

Adegboruwa said the constitution made it clear that sovereignty belongs to Nigerians, thus the legitimacy of any government belongs to the people through their votes.

“To this end, no legitimacy can spring forth from any process that is devoid of transparency and accountability.

“Threat to voters, physical injury and even death in some cases, all indicate some form of deliberate design to compromise the electoral process of the last presidential election.”

The statement said the electoral process has not gained any advantage from the robust efforts of well-meaning Nigerians, leading to the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2022.

It added that INEC has a big burden to demonstrate integrity, accountability and transparent adherence to the laws regulating the electoral process and its own guidelines.

Noting that the desire for peace and progress can only be achieved through the pursuit of truth and justice, Adegboruwa advised aggrieved persons to embrace legitimate avenues to achieve lawful remedies.