The Northern Elders Forum, NEF, has raised an alarm following the recent contentious Court of Appeal judgement which removed Abba Yusuf as Kano State governor.
According to DAILY NIGERIAN, the appellate court, in its Friday ruling read by Justice Moore Adumein, upheld the judgement of the Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, declaring APC candidate, Nasiru Gawuna, as the winner of the governorship election in the state.
However, upon the release of the certified true copy of the judgement by the court on Tuesday, several contradictory declarations were discovered in the ruling.
Subsequently, in light of the national condemnation and suspicion of foul play, the Court of Appeal retracted the copies.
In response, the NEF’s Convener, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, expressed dismay over these developments, stating that they represent a significant threat to the future of democracy in Nigeria.
Professor Abdullahi emphasized the crucial role of the judiciary in upholding the rule of law, safeguarding democratic principles, and ensuring justice and citizens’ rights are protected. He called on all levels of the judiciary to adhere to high ethical standards and maintain impartiality in their decision-making processes, particularly in cases related to elections.
Highlighting the potential repercussions of the current trend, Professor Abdullahi cautioned that the judiciary’s failure to fulfil its responsibilities could lead to severe implications for Nigeria’s constitutional democracy. He stressed that a collapsing judiciary poses a grave risk to the stability and functioning of a democratic society, potentially encouraging corrupt practices and undermining democratic norms and values.
Furthermore, he warned that without a robust and functioning judiciary, there is a risk of constitutional violations going unchecked, resulting in the erosion of citizens’ rights and freedoms, and ultimately, a loss of public confidence in the democratic process.
Professor Abdullahi reiterated that only a transparent and fair judicial system can safeguard Nigeria’s democratic values and prevent its descent into chaos, underscoring the vital importance of public trust, confidence, and belief in the democratic process.
He also called for thorough investigations into any allegations of corruption and undue compromise within the judiciary, emphasizing the need for swift prosecution of substantiated claims to serve as a deterrent to others. Additionally, Professor Abdullahi urged the judiciary to carefully consider the consequences of its actions and decisions, striving to uphold the rule of law in all its activities to justify the confidence reposed in it by Nigerians.
Finally, the NEF’s Convener called on the public to remain vigilant and expose any perceived misconduct within the judiciary, asserting that a strong and incorruptible judiciary is vital for the development and progress of Nigeria. He assured that the NEF, alongside other concerned stakeholders, would continue to closely monitor the conduct of the judiciary and advocate for its ethical revitalization to safeguard the interests of all Nigerians.
