Editorial: Enough is enough with Navajo Nation election drama

Thursday, January 15, 2015  

Ben Shelly takes the oath of office as president of the Navajo Nation. Photo by Rick Abasta / Navajo Nation Office of the President

New Mexico newspaper urges certain Navajo Nation politicians to drop their challenges to last year's presidential election:

Typically at this point — nearly five months after the primary election — the old regime quietly steps back as the winner of the general election takes the reins. Tuesday's inauguration should have marked that point of transition. Instead, celebrations were overshadowed by the glaring lack of a new president or clear direction on how to choose one. In fact, the day before the inaugural, another motion was filed in the Navajo Nation Supreme Court requesting that certain tribal officials be held in contempt of court because they did not follow an earlier order to hold the presidential election by the end of the month.

Since the August primary, the political process has played out mostly in the courts and, sadly, behind closed doors. Appeals and motions have been filed, often in the eleventh hour, and emergency bills have been rushed before the council. Every time the loose ends start to get tied up, another legal maneuver pops up and interrupts the measures already in motion. While this has certainly kept our Navajo Nation reporter busy, it has led to mass confusion and frustration for tribal officials and the Navajo people. And, more importantly while the drama surrounding the presidency has taken center stage, other important issues are receiving little attention.

To be clear, we aren't backing a particular candidate or side in this. But sometimes, for the greater good, it is necessary to stop, let it go and move on. Stop filing motions and petitioning the courts. Stop trying to change laws solely to benefit your point of view. Stop exhausting all your legal options. Enough is enough. Stepping away may seem like an impossible choice at this point but it's been done in the past for the good of the republic.

Get the Story:
Editorial: Letting go for the good of the Navajo Nation (The Farmington Daily Times 1/15)

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