A pro-democracy group, Nigerian Youths in Politics, has cautioned aides of Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf and the Nigerian People’s Party in the state to stop casting aspersion on the judiciary.
The group made the call on Sunday at a press briefing in Abuja.
Investigation revealed that the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Kano State, Honourable Haruna Isa Dederi while reacting to the pronouncement of the Court of Appeal, which affirmed the victory of the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Dr Nasiru Gawuna, had alleged that the judgement of the Appellate Court was not based on points of law.
The Kano State AGF further claimed that the Appeal Court justices acted under political pressures from certain powerful forces
But addressing journalists, Comrade Magaji Alidu, National President of the Forum, maintained that the pronouncements of the Appeal Court were based on provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.
He said, We have studied with keen interest the Appeal Court judgement that affirmed the sacking of Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Governor of Kano State, and the subsequent declaration of Dr. Nasir Gawuna as the duly elected Governor of the State.
“Contrary to the ongoing bastardization of the Nigerian judiciary by some aggrieved persons who lost at the tribunal and the Appeal Court as a result of non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2022 as amended, we wish to state that the court did not act ultra vires when it held that Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf was not a member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) as of the time the party sponsored him as the governorship candidate of Kano State.
“Abba Kabir Yusuf and his party took for granted a very important aspect of the electoral process and must be punished for their negligence.
“We agree that the tribunal actually strengthened democracy by deducting the uncertified ballot papers, which were neither signed nor stamped by the electoral officers presiding during the poll as stipulated by law.
The Election Act 2022, as amended in Article 63, Subsection 2, captured it clearly.
“Section 177, sub-section C, of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, states that one must be a registered member of a political party and be sponsored by the same political party to be qualified to contest for the office of Governor of a State.
“This is to show that those who jump from one political party to the other in a bid to secure tickets must also be careful because there is judicial jurisprudence to that effect.
The case of Abba Yusuf is not the first, nor will it be the last. In the case of Sen. Hope Uzodinma vs Uche Nwosu, the Supreme Court established precedence on the membership of a political party and the sponsorship of a candidate.
“Therefore, believing that blackmailing the judiciary may lead to subversion of justice is actually not true. The Supreme Court is a constitutional court which deals primarily with point of law. ”
The Nigerian Youths in Politics further warned chieftains of the NNPP to refrain from comments that could be prejudicial to the outcome of their appeal before the Supreme Court.
“We wish to warn political actors, especially those who know the law but are trying to bend it because it does not favour them, that the judiciary is a sacred institution that must not be undermined.
“The Attorney General of Kano State, who is a lawyer, also joined in the bastardization of the image of the Hon. Justices who delivered judgement on the Kano State governorship appeal.
Such action is highly unprofessional and requires immediate sanction by the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in order to retain the integrity of the legal profession.
“As young people in politics, we shall continue to encourage the judiciary not to be intimidated by the sponsored blackmail against it.
The larger population of Nigerians is happy with the judgements being delivered so far and is proud of the commitment of the judiciary to ensure even democracy in the country.
‘The Supreme Court is their target; they are castigating the Appeal Court Justices to blackmail the Hon. Justices of the Supreme Court to subvert justice.
Democracy has come of age, and the judiciary is not cash and carry as the Attorney General of Kano State portrays.”
“We demand an immediate apology from the Kano State Government and the leadership of the NNPP for acting too far in lambasting the judiciary because the judgement did not go in their favour.”
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM TheWitness
GAMA: Peter Obi bags Politician of the Year award
The event, themed “A Channel of Hope Where There is Despair,” celebrated individuals making positive impacts on…
Catholic Priest remanded for raping, impregnating teenage girl in Anambra
An Awka Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court of Anambra State, has remanded a Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Nwaigwe Stephen to…
Discontent spreads over succession plots at Supreme Court
As Nigerians wait on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to make final pick for the Supreme Court bench, fresh claims have emerged to explain the lopsidedness in…
I was forced to pay N1m, buy iPhone 14 Promax for marrying Sheila a virgin — Israel DMW
Davido’s Logistics Manager, Israel Afeare, who is popularly known as Israel DMW, claimed that his estranged wife’s parents “forced” him to…
HID asked monarch, other visitors to leave few minutes before death — Awolowo Dosumu
At the church service held at the in-house chapel of the Awolowo family house, Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State, Dr Awolowo Dosumu recalled how…
Bangbet Risk-free Starting: Nigeria’s Most Generous Betting Site Reveals
The world of online betting has been transformed by innovative platforms like Bangbet. With its user-centric design, the Bangbet app promises…
