The Association of Nigerian Youths for Democracy (ANYD) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to reorganise its legal department.
It alleged that the department was allying with some political parties, saying this compromised the commission’s independence and impartiality.
In a statement signed yesterday by its national president and secretary, Abubakar Gwazo and Olufemi Ayodele respectively, the group urged INEC Chairman Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, to investigate the allegation and take necessary steps to save the commission’s image and the nation’s democratic process.
“Reports we are receiving from across the country indicate that INEC is not living up to that expectation. The INEC legal department from our investigations has been badly indicted of this. We have documented grievances from almost all the political parties all pointing accusing fingers at the legal department of the commission. In particular, the lawyers in the legal department of the commission have formed alliances with different political parties leaving their mandate as an umpire that stands for the truth.
“It is sad to say that INEC legal department has been turned to a toll gate were the highest bidder is being protected by the legal department thereby subverting justice were true winners are being short-changed. If the legal department fails, INEC fails and if INEC fails, Nigeria’s democracy will be endangered”, the statement read in part.
