A Professor of Strategy and Development, Anthony Kila, has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its decision to delist the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that Kila spoke on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday.
The don urged the electoral body to weigh the implications of its actions, warning against decisions based solely on technical correctness.
He said, “I think that when INEC decides to remove the name of the chairman and secretary of the opposition party, they should think of what the consequences will be.
“You cannot say technically you are right and you don’t care about the practical consequences; that’s not commonsensical.”
He explained that decision-making should reflect reality and take into account likely outcomes.
Kila’s remarks followed INEC’s announcement that it would no longer recognise correspondences from factions led by David Mark and Rafiu Bala.
The commission based its position on the March 12 Court of Appeal judgment and said it would not monitor meetings, congresses or conventions of the party pending the resolution of the case at the Federal High Court.
The professor expressed dissatisfaction with the commission’s handling of the matter.
Kila further stated, “I think INEC is not doing that and, whichever the cause, either accidental or intentional, INEC is not doing well.
“The other thing that needs to be said is INEC, I think so far, so bad.”
Kila identified structural and procedural flaws in the commission’s approach, stressing the need for broader consultation with political parties.
He stated, “There is a problem of approach and process to the way INEC does things.
“They should get political parties inside and decide it together, I believe.”
He argued that electoral bodies should act as mediators rather than mere announcers.
Compares INEC with global standards
The academic also compared Nigeria’s electoral body with those in other countries, noting that efficient institutions often operate without attracting attention.
“Other countries in the world… the INEC leader is so invisible; INEC itself is not talked about. It’s as if they are not there, they are so efficient that they become invisible, like the air you breathe.
“Nobody talks about them unless there is trouble… We need to aspire to that,” he said.