By CALLISTUS OFFOR, Abuja –
The Nigerian judiciary has been urged to ensure transparency and rule of law in the administration of justice in preparatory of the 2023 general elections.
The Convener of Democracy Watch of Nigeria, Dr. Nwambu Gabriel made the call during a press briefing on Friday in Abuja.
Dr. Gabriel said there has been an increased number of cases bothering on the candidature of various political parties on different positions as The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has about 600 cases bothering on same issue.
He said: “The Adamawa APC is facing serious litigation on the authentic Governorship candidate of the party. The Abia state APC is also not left out. It is having its own share of litigation between Dr. Uche Ogah and Chief Ikechi Emenike on who is the authentic Governorship candidate.
“The APGA in Abia state is having its own tussle. In a case filed by Chief Chikwe Udensi challenging the APGA governorship primary that produced Prof. Greg One, Justice Binta Nyako nullified the primary and ordered for a fresh primary in within 14 days.
“In Akwa Ibom state, the PDP is at the Appeal Court now on who the authentic Governorship candidate is. The APC is also in the Appeal Court. While the Governorship candidate of the YPP, Senator Bassey Albert has been jailed for 42 years for an offence he allegedly committed between 2010 and 2014 while serving as commissioner for Finance in Akwa Ibom state.
“In the same vein there is a case that would be decided on Monday, 12th December, 2022 by a high court in Abuja between Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba and Bola Ahmed Tinubu who won the presidential primary election of the APC. Hon. Nwajiuba posited his stand on 3 germane issues:
- That the Primary and Secondary School Certificates of the candidate was not submitted to INEC sequel to fundamental requirements of law.
- That the candidate had in the past deposed to an affidavit that he attended certain secondary schools.
- That the provision of section 90(3) of the Electoral Act which bothers on the disclosure of sources of funds in excess of 50 million naira. This is sequel to the the purchase of expression of interest and nomination forms of 100 million naira.
“Hon. Nwajiuba argued that other political parties might as well take advantage of this lacuna thereby destroying the chances of the APC. He went further to section 84(13) of the 2022 Electoral Act which states that where a political party fails to comply with the provision of this act in the conduct of it’s primaries, it’s candidate for the election shall not be included in the election for the particular position in issue.
The expected judgement, according to Dr. Gabriel, would shake the political fabric of Nigeria, as it would determine whether the nation is compliant to The Electoral Act 2022 or whether it is lip service.
He said Nigerians and the international community are waiting for this judgement, which would definitely make or erode the public perception on the belief that the Judiciary is really the hope of the common man.
He therefore called on the judiciary to do the right thing as regards the dispensation of justice without fear of favour, intimidation and harassment.
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