Tackle Impunity Culture In Nigeria’s Democracy – KANSIEC Chair Urges Media, Others

October 25, (THEWILL) – The Chairman of Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), Prof. Sani Malumfashi, has decried the emerging culture of impunity in the nation’s democracy and urged all stakeholders to brace up to tackle the norm.

Malumfashi made the observation while addressing journalists on the commission’s preparations for the conduct of Saturday’s local government elections in the state.

“Impunity is gradually being entrenched in our democratic system and it is the responsibility of the media, democrats all over the country and the world, and comrades who are agents of change to bluntly and boldly kick against this culture of impunity being gradually entrenched in our system.

“Gradually, everything in the country, including court ruling, is becoming a commodity; commodification of everything. This is a recipe for authoritarianism, a recipe for autocratic tendencies”, he said.

On preparations for the local government elections, the Chairman said the polls would hold as planned, as the commission had obtained a court judgement allowing it to proceed with the exercise.

“A Kano State High Court today ruled in favour of the commission, allowing us to proceed with the election process”, Malumfashi said.

THEWILL recalls that a Federal High court, presided over by Justice Simon Amobeda, on Tuesday, gave a ruling stopping the election and sacking the commission’s chairman and members.

Malumfashi emphasised the importance of respecting court decisions, noting that six political parties – NNPP, ZLP, Accord Party, NRM, AAC, and AA are participating in election.

He said that the commission had followed due process throughout the electoral process, including the nomination of commissioners, which was approved by the State House of Assembly.

According to him, the commission will conduct free, fair, and credible election, urging all stakeholders to cooperate towards the success of the process.