Appeal Court stops Atiku by Tobi Soniyi, Abuja of PUNCH NEWSPAPER

Summary:

Atiku Abubakar‘s bid to contest in the April 21 2007 presidential election has been rejected by the court of appeal. The presiding judge, justice Umar Abdullahi agreed that in accordance to the 1999 Constitution's Electoral Act, (INEC) Independent National Electoral Commission has the power to screen and disqualify candidates for the election and also disqualify any candidate that fails to meet the criteria set out by the 1999 Constitution without having to go to court.



Issues:

The court of appeal's judgement is fair, in the sense that, justice Umar Abdullahi's judge was in accordance with Nigeria's constitution. If trully INEC has the constitutional right to disqualify candidates, then it means that Akitu Abubakar's faith depends on INEC.



Significance of issue:

April 2007 election probably just a few weeks away. Disqualification of candidates at this moment is really not a good way of practising democracy. Atiku Abubakar and his supporters have come along way to swallow any form of resistance or hindrance that will prevent them for pursuing presidency. INEC should endeavour to forget with ever issues they have with Atiku and grant him permission to contest.






full article: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art2007040412131993