By Chijioke Kingsley
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – A Plateau group under the aegis of Plateau South People’s Assemblies (PSPA), has called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and the National Judicial Council (NJC), to prevail over the Judges that are handling the Appeal Court election petition matters as most of the judgements so far are truncating the people’s mandate.
The group holds the view that the citizens of the State voted overwhelmingly for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), but the courts in what they termed contradictory judgements are diverting the people’s mandate to the All Progressive Congress (APC). https://sundiatapost.com/plateau-tribunal-begins-sitting-pledges-justice-to-all-petitioners/
“The time is now for the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and the National Judicial Council (NJC) and indeed, prominent Nigerians to prevail on the judges handling election matters from Plateau State to allow the people have those they voted into office to represent them”, Chairman of the group, Mr. Dashe Dawam said in a statement sent to our correspondent.
According to him: “We are however taken aback by the recent waves of judicial pronouncements upturning the elections of our representatives in some of the constituencies in very strange circumstances by the Plateau Election Petition Tribunal and of recent the Court of Appeal, which have given contradictory judgements on the same elections and the same subject matters, thereby throwing the entire State into a State of total confusion and apprehension.
“Besides, this ugly development calls for a great concern on the role of the judiciary in upholding the tenets of democracy and appreciating the wishes of the people. https://sundiatapost.com/group-condemns-pdp-over-its-petition-against-tribunal-ruling-in-plateau/
“We are shocked by the pattern of the judgements, nullifying elections of some of our representatives, under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, over what is termed as improper nomination and sponsorship of candidates by the PDP.
“By this act , the judiciary may be perceived as imposing on itself the role of determining who will rule the people against their popular wishes.
“We must further State that these developments are a great threat to democracy in Nigeria as it stands today.
“The situation if not properly handled and managed can lead to total breakdown of law and order and as well undermine the existing peace on the Plateau.
“Plateau people are not willing to throw away the mandate they freely gave their elected representatives on grounds of judicial technicalities and some other contradictory pronouncements”, the statement which was co-signed by the Secretary of the group, Elder Timloh Vongjen said.
