It is impunity galore. INEC is empowered by law to issue guidelines. The CBN usurped the power and issued guidelines for the election. In fact, INEC had to beg CBN to release cash for logistics to conduct the elections!
During the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections last year, only the EFCC arrested vote buyers. Gunmen attacked EFCC officials at night and took away all the money and documents seized from vote buyers.
In Osun, vote buyers were charged before the High Court. The defence counsel challenged the charge on the ground that only INEC is competent to prosecute electoral offenders. Objection upheld. Case struck out.
If the President had ordered all security and anti-graft agencies to arrest vote buyers, the CBN should not have been allowed to subject Nigerians to such excruciating economic pains!
The President voted and revealed the candidate that he voted for contrary to Section 122 of the Electoral Act. The President cannot be prosecuted because of constitutional immunity. Gov Ortom did. Ex Gov Orji Kalu did. The AGF committed the same offence. The NBA will not call him to order.
Nothing will happen to the electoral officials who deliberately disenfranchised many voters yesterday.
Now, INEC portal has refused to log any results contrary to the electoral guidelines. The illegality will not be challenged!
Mr. Femi Falana is a rights lawyer and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria
