Recently, the panel invited the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Adamawa state, Kassim Gaidam, to appear before it to answer questions about his role in alleged Electoral Malpractice during the 2019 polls. Gaidam was suspended by INEC following allegations of complicity in vote rigging and other irregularities during the elections. He is now expected to explain his actions to the panel, which has powers to recommend sanctions against him if found guilty.
The move by the joint panel to probe Gaidam is a step in the right direction towards ensuring transparency and accountability in the electoral process. It sends a clear message to other officials involved in electoral malpractice that their actions will not go unpunished, and it gives hope to citizens who have often been disenfranchised by electoral fraud.
However, some critics have argued that the joint panel may not be totally impartial in its investigation, given the involvement of security agencies, which have been accused in the past of working in favour of the ruling party. This raises questions about the integrity of the entire process and the effectiveness of any sanctions that may be recommended.
Nevertheless, it is important to note that the joint panel is a product of the Electoral Act 2010, which mandates INEC to establish an inter-agency consultative committee on election security. The committee is required to include representatives of relevant security agencies and other stakeholders, and its main function is to provide security for elections and investigate any allegations of electoral malpractice.
The involvement of the police and DSS in the joint panel is therefore not unusual, but what is required is for them to discharge their mandates with integrity and impartiality, without fear or favour. This will help to restore public confidence in the electoral process and ensure that future elections are free, fair, and credible.
It is also worth noting that the joint panel's investigation of Gaidam is just one of many ongoing investigations into electoral malpractice during the 2019 polls. INEC has set up similar panels in other states where allegations of irregularities were reported. The outcome of these investigations will go a long way in determining the credibility of the electoral process and the confidence citizens have in their leaders and institutions.
The joint panel's invitation of Gaidam is therefore not just about punishing an individual for wrongdoing, but also about sending a strong message that electoral malpractice will not be tolerated in Nigeria. It is an opportunity for the country to set a precedent for credible and transparent elections, and to chart a course towards greater democracy and good governance.
In conclusion, the joint panel's invitation of the suspended Adamawa REC is a crucial step in the ongoing efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in the Nigerian electoral process. The involvement of security agencies in the panel may raise concerns, but what is required is for them to discharge their mandates with fairness and integrity. Ultimately, the outcome of the panel's investigations will have far-reaching implications for the future of democracy in Nigeria.
