by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Nigerian Judicial Council has been called upon to take urgent steps to address the lack of morality and justice in the judicial system, particularly the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
The Forum of Former Youth Leaders (Veterans) in Plateau State, led by Mr. Yakubu Itse, disclosed that, they must be brave, saying that the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is good men such as you do nothing.
The Forum also urged the Supreme Court to wade into apparent “destruction of legal precedence” as seen by the recent judgments in the case of Plateau State Legislators and return the mandate of the people to the legitimate owners.
He also called on President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to rise to the occasion of defending the evolving democracy in Plateau State and Nigeria at large.
Mr. Yakubu Itse observed that, the suppression of the people’s rights is the suppression of the truth, and injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, and believes that the judiciary is “going to restrain any efforts towards destabilizing our fragile peace with inconsistent judgment justice to Plateau State; it’s not optional, but a necessity.”
He maintained that, “The Law is clear and unequivocal about the key issues under contention – the alleged claim of non-compliance to Justice Gang Judgment that directed the Plateau PDP to have a repeat congress, which it actually did, on the 25th of September, 2021.
“The argument was that, the State EXCOs do not conduct primary elections for the nomination and sponsorship of candidates. So, if the court says that the State EXCO was not properly constituted, how does that affect the nomination process conducted by a properly constituted National Working Committee (NWC) of the party?”
Mr. Itse reiterated that, “Even, if the NWC of the party is not properly constituted, how is it the concern, if anyone who is not a member of the Party? See Section 84(14) of the Electoral Act 2022, as Amended, and Section 87 (9), of the Electoral Act 2019, as Amended.
Also, the argument was that, there was a Court Order directing them to re-conduct the State Congresses. The key question is, was the APC or any political party in that suit for it to derive any benefits there from? The straightforward answer is, “No.”
“We are aware of the position of the Apex Court of the Land – Supreme Court. In Jegede vs INEC, which said they are the same thing; therefore, by virtue of Chapter 8 and Section 50(1) of the PDP constitution, only the NWC of the PDP is vested with the sole right of sponsoring and nominating candidates to any political position, from Ward to National level,” he stated.
The Forum’s leader stressed that, the Case of Atiku Abubakar vs Shettima sitting in Abuja agreed with Lateef Fagbemi that no matter how pained the PDP is, it must remain an onlooker.
Also, he cited the Appeal Court that sat in Abuja, led by Justice Chioma Nwosu Iheme in the Case of Tarfaya Asarya of the APC challenging the nomination, qualification and sponsorship of the PDP’s Dr. Midala Bulamu of the PDP and also challenging Supreme Court Order by PDP in Borno State.
“The Appeal Tribunal held that the appropriate place to challenge the nomination, sponsorship of candidates, including disobedience to court order, is the High Court, not the Appeal or any other court,” he stated.