Nigeria’s Political Culture: Labour Party Candidate Slams Judiciary’s Influence on Election Outcomes

In a scathing statement, Senator Nnejilenanim Athan Achonu, the governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Imo State, Nigeria, has criticized the current political culture in the country, where the judiciary rather than the electorate determines election outcomes. Achonu, who lost a recent governorship election to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accused the APC of manipulating election results and displaying arrogance by directing opposition parties to seek redress in court.

Achonu’s concerns are not limited to the APC, as he also criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for functioning as an extension of the ruling party, compromising the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. He lamented that the judiciary has been unable to ensure that INEC adheres to proper procedures in election petition matters, further eroding public trust in the electoral process.

The Labour Party chieftain emphasized that his concerns are driven by a commitment to justice and fairness rather than personal bitterness. He warned that the current political culture is a dangerous trend that should alarm every patriotic Nigerian. "It is clear now that in Nigeria, it is no longer the people who decide who wins an election; it is the judiciary. The audacity of this practice, where the judiciary’s pronouncements outweigh the people’s votes, should alarm every patriotic Nigerian," Achonu stated.

Achonu also criticized Osita Chidoka, a commentator who made remarks on Channels TV before the Supreme Court’s final ruling, accusing him of spreading deliberate misinformation. The Labour Party candidate suggested that Chidoka’s comments seemed strategically aimed at conditioning public perception in favor of a predetermined outcome.

Despite the judicial setback, Achonu vowed that the Labour Party and his campaign organization would continue to play a constructive role as the opposition. He urged his supporters and the people of Imo State to remain vigilant, calling for opposition politicking to be conducted with decency and decorum, for the collective good of the state.

Achonu’s statement has sparked a heated debate in Nigeria, with many calling for reforms to the country’s electoral system and the judiciary. The controversy highlights the need for a more transparent and accountable political culture in Nigeria, where the people’s voices are truly heard and respected.