By Nworisa Michael
A Federal High Court sitting in Kano has on Monday 1st, March 2021 passed its judgment on a suit (No. FHC/KN/CS/125/2019) filled against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Kano State by Amb. Nworisa Michael over non issuance of his Permanent Voter Card.
The suit presided over by Hon. Justice S.I Mark ruled in favour of the Defendants (INEC) and the Kano Resident Electoral Commissioner.
This suit appears to be the first of its kind in the country.
None issuance of voters card is experienced by several Nigerians and gradually, it is becoming a norm. But the claimant in the spirit of patriotism believes it shouldn’t be so. According to him “by seeking the intervention of the Judiciary I sought to strengthen the system by the system. Nigerians should be active in ensuring our democracy isn’t just in theory, we need an active citizenry to really get things right.
The claimant, a civil rights and youth Activist, encouraged many youths prior to the 2019 general elections to exercise their franchise and decide who to lead the country in various elective positions. He was one of the pioneers of the Vote Not Fight, Election No Be War and 9ja Votes campaigns in Kano State.
Amb. Nworisa Michael who is not pleased by the judgment of the Court however noted “For me this a case of no victor, no vanquished. I was just wanted to prove a point that INEC and our government in general should endeavor to sit up to the duties giving to them as it was the laxity of the Defendants that lead the non issuance of my Permanent Voter Card.”
First, had INEC publicly apologized to Nigerians it would have gone a long way to reassuring the masses that indeed government does acknowledge her flaws and as such seen to make amends. This would make people who are already losing hope in the system to have a kind of rethink; it will also increase patriotism amongst the citizens which would eventually cause a decrease in crime rates across the country.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Kudufoke Oluwatosin Deyon, stated that “his client’s sole aim in suing INEC was to make national agencies responsive and responsible, adding that as democracy continues to take its firm root in Nigeria, lackadaisical attitudes towards the rights of citizens should be discouraged.”
According to Amb. Nworisa Michael “This suit isn’t just my case it is for every well meaning Nigerian, Nigerians should start asking right questions and to the right quarters we must engage and hold our government accountable for their actions and inactions.”
