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Nigerians React As Concerns Arise Over Incongruous Verdicts In Nigerian Electoral Cases
Nigerians React As Concerns Arise Over Incongruous Verdicts In Nigerian Electoral Cases....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
A significant challenge to the credibility of democracy in Nigeria is the erosion of trust among voters. When the democratic process is marred by flaws and the electorate loses faith in the mechanisms through which elected officials emerge, it undermines democracy and leads to a loss of confidence in the electoral system. Electoral violence has unfortunately become a recurring issue in Nigerian democracy, with election disputes frequently escalating into legal battles.
The Role of the Judiciary
The judiciary is often viewed as the protector of justice, but there are concerns that some individuals within the judiciary have compromised their integrity for financial gains. A recent controversial decision by the Supreme Court to validate Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Nigeria’s duly elected president has triggered widespread discord. The Supreme Court rejected petitions by the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, stating that questioning the legitimacy of the president or vice president’s candidacy was a pre-election matter falling outside the jurisdiction of election courts.
While some election courts have resisted external pressures and maintained their impartiality, it is well-known that certain judges have been subjected to undue influence to sway their verdicts in favor of well-connected individuals. Recent reports, such as those from Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, have revealed attempts to subvert the democratic process.
Inconsistent Verdicts in Plateau
Despite the clarity of the Electoral Act 2022 that pre-election matters are outside the purview of election tribunals, some tribunal members and Court of Appeal justices have failed to acknowledge this settled fact. Several verdicts in cases handled by the Plateau State Election Court of Appeal Panel have strayed from legal precedent.
The basis for these judgments has been tied to complaints by All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates regarding the rationality of the emergence of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidates. For example, the Appeal Court justices nullified the election of Hon. Isaac Kwalu in the Shendam/Quaapan/Mikang Federal Constituency, ordering a rerun and a new Certificate of Return for the APC candidate, John Dafa’an. They also annulled the victory of Hon. Musa Agah of the PDP in the Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency, directing a rerun based on non-compliance with a Plateau High Court order for a repeat congress in 2022.
The national leadership of the PDP has raised questions about these unusual verdicts that lack legal precedent. The party has criticized the use of pre-election matters to invalidate the electoral victories of PDP candidates in Plateau, emphasizing the inconsistent outcomes for election appeals with similar facts, laws, and circumstances. This bias in favor of the APC has raised concerns about the integrity of these judgments.
Safeguarding Elections from the Courts
In response, the PDP has submitted a petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC) regarding what it sees as unlawful verdicts by the Appeal Court on Plateau’s electoral cases. The party has also called for the removal of the current panel and the appointment of new justices to review these verdicts and other pending cases. The new panel, upon appointment, should be instructed to avoid involvement in pre-election matters, as per relevant laws.
To restore public confidence in the judiciary, it is imperative that the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongba-Mensem, dissolves the Plateau State Election Appeal Panel and appoints a new team. As established by the Supreme Court and in compliance with Nigerian electoral laws, the newly appointed panel should refrain from using pre-election matters as grounds to annul elections. Allowing election courts to intervene in pre-election matters would constitute a blatant violation of the Nigerian Electoral Act 2022 and a deliberate attempt to undermine the nation’s political system.
A political disagreement has emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State following Governor Abdullahi Sule’s reported endorsement of Senator Aliyu Wadada as his preferred successor ahead of the 2027 governorship election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to Nivo News, the move has sparked tension between the governor and his predecessor, Umar Tanko Al-Makura, who faulted the decision, describing it as premature and not properly consulted within party structures.
Al-Makura, a prominent figure in the state’s political landscape, expressed displeasure that he only became aware of the endorsement through media reports. He argued that the decision should have involved wider consultation, warning that such early endorsements could undermine internal party processes.
He further noted that the APC had not begun its formal nomination process, insisting that declaring support for a candidate at this stage was inappropriate and ahead of schedule.
The controversy was further heightened by former Inspector-General of Police, Muhammad Adamu, who is also aspiring for the APC governorship ticket. He rejected the endorsement, stating that no individual has the authority to impose a candidate, and reaffirmed his intention to contest in the party primaries.
In response, Governor Sule, through his media aide, defended the endorsement, stating that it was consistent with political traditions in the state. He referenced past succession arrangements, including Al-Makura’s own endorsement of him, arguing that the current process was in line with established practice but being conducted more transparently.
The governor’s camp clarified that Senator Wadada remains a preferred aspirant and not the party’s official candidate.
Senator Wadada, reacting to the development, called for calm among party members, describing the situation as part of normal political competition. He also downplayed tensions with other aspirants, noting that the contest should be seen as a democratic process.
Meanwhile, support for Adamu continues to grow in parts of Nasarawa South, where youths, women, and stakeholders have openly backed his ambition, alongside broader endorsements for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Adamu, however, maintained that he remains firmly in the race, accusing some political actors of inconsistency in the unfolding succession dynamics.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has described as unnecessary the denial issued by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) regarding an invitation allegedly extended to him for the groundbreaking ceremony of an ecumenical chapel at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to Nivo News, the Sultan’s media team maintained that an official invitation was duly sent to His Eminence requesting his attendance as Royal Father of the Day. The statement explained that the event also listed key dignitaries, including the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, as Distinguished Guest of Honour, and Senator Oluremi Tinubu as Mother of the Day.
The Sultan’s office emphasised that his participation in the proposed Christian event would promote interfaith harmony, noting his role as Co-Chairman of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC). It added that globally, religious leaders often engage in events outside their faith traditions as part of efforts to encourage unity and peaceful coexistence.
The response follows an earlier clarification from CAN, which denied issuing any invitation to the Sultan and stated that the document circulating in public was not from the association. CAN further explained that the communication in question originated from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and insisted that it had no involvement in inviting the Sultan to the event.
While acknowledging that the SGF’s office was linked to the invitation process, the Sultan’s media team expressed concern over CAN’s denial, describing it as unnecessary and capable of creating misunderstanding, especially since the Sultan did not request to attend the ceremony.
The statement also urged religious bodies to focus on messages that strengthen unity and promote peaceful coexistence among Nigerians of different faiths and ethnic backgrounds.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has indicated that residents may have to wait until May before knowing his preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election, as political consultations within the state continue.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to Nivo News, the governor disclosed that he would publicly unveil his chosen successor before the end of the first week of May, following extensive consultations with key stakeholders across the state.
Makinde explained that the selection process has involved wide engagements with elders, religious leaders, and other influential figures, noting that while several aspirants have emerged, no final decision has been reached.
He added that the choice of a candidate is a sensitive responsibility that requires broad acceptance and careful consideration to maintain political stability and continuity in the state.
The governor also dismissed speculations suggesting that he had already endorsed any individual, stressing that no aspirant has been officially anointed for the race.
Makinde further noted that the direction of his political decision, including the platform on which the party will contest, may depend on the outcome of a pending Supreme Court ruling affecting the Peoples Democratic Party.
He stated that the ruling is expected to provide clarity on internal party matters, which could influence his final decision regarding the 2027 governorship election.
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