Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheik Ahmad Gumi, has faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over what he called ‘shoddy’ performance during the just-concluded presidential elections.
Recall that many Nigerians had disagreed with the process INEC adopted in releasing results of the elections by breaking its own rules and the new electoral law by failing to upload results before collation, thereby making the election controversial.
Though the INEC had declared Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the election, the Labour Party and the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had since rejected the results as announced and accused INEC of compromise.
Commenting on the outcome of the election, Sheik Gumi, in a statement posted on his official Facebook page, urged the aggrieved parties judicial redress, warning against violent protest in an already tense country.
He posted, “I implore the opposition parties as an obligatory national duty to go to the election tribunal and up to the Supreme Court to reestablish the supremacy of law and to teach our younger generation the value of resolving disputes through legal means rather than violence.
“The polity is already very tense, and any government that lacks credibility cannot suppress the people, especially at this troubling time when every region has armed agitating groups that are willing to exploit political instability to augment their rebellion.
“Let the entire litigation process run its course. It has a great deal of importance for our national health.”
The fiery Islamic cleric added that INEC had failed the country and down the seeds of discord and distrust.
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He continued, “The I.N.E.C has failed the nation by sowing more distrust and suspicion because it failed to follow its own guidelines in conducting last week’s elections.
“Fortunately, that is the first step in seeking legitimacy; therefore aggrieved parties should go to court.
“We sincerely hope the courts of law this time will also prove its worth and uphold the truth. It’s the last hope that Nigerians can resort to, otherwise, it will lead to chaos that no other force can contain as the nation is already polarized along religious and tribal fault lines.
“Nigeria is our only country; we have to save it from calamity by acting bravely, honestly free from political hypocrisy that requires putting thorny issues under the rug.
“May Allah protect us from all tribulations and give this nation peace and tranquility. Amin,” Sheik Gumi prayed.