Leadership (Abuja)
Iyobosa Uwugiaren
25 February 2008
Abuja — A head of tomorrow's judgement in the consolidated petition against the election of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, All Nigeria Peoples Party the presidential candidate General Muhammadu Buhari has urged the presidentia not to succumb to any inducement or pressure that may be coming from the presidency.
Buhari, who spoke through his spokesperson and secretary, public affairs, Malam Yau' Shehu Darazo, told LEADERSHIP in an exclusive interview in Kaduna, on their expectation, saying, "Our expectation is the same with right-thinking Nigerians, who aspire and believe in justice. We are expecting that justice will be done. Almost everybody in this country acknowledges that the 2007 elections were flawed. Both international and domestic monitors and certain section of the so-called government have both agreed that the election was messed up. We are expecting that the court, being the last place where the common man will take his case, would do justice and pronounce the election annulled".
He added that they are being motivated by the vigour and the integrity being demonstrated by the judiciary, based on previous cases whereby illegitimately gotten mandates were annulled. Continuing, he stated: "We are very confident that the judiciary, having studied the situation, are now out to contribute their quota in the strengthening of genuine democracy in Nigeria. Apparently the political elite are not ready to reciprocate genuine democracy, they are only interested in grabbing power and mis-use power and abuse power. The judiciary has now come in to checkmate the excesses of these unscrupulous Nigerian political elites."
Since last week's nomination of the tribunal chairman, Justice James Ogebe, for confirmation as Justice of Supreme Court, fear has gripped some Nigerians who believe President Yar'Adua's move may have an implication on the handling of the petition before the tribunal.
Director of contacts and mobilisation of conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) and The Buhari Organisation's spokeman, Engr. Buba Galadima, while speaking on the Hausa Service of the BBC, asked the tribunal to put the fear of God first in the discharge of their statutory responsibility.
Obviously unpertubed by tomorrow's judgment, President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has concluded plans to jet out to China tomorrow night. Presidency sources said Yar'Adua is not losing any bid of his sleep as he awaits the tribunal verdict.
Our correspondent gathered reliably that his schedule to travel to China for an official visit remains unchanged.
The tribunal will rule on whether the election of President Yar'Adua was valid or not, a development that is creating palpable tension within the polity.
Yar'Adua's two main rivals in last April's election,former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari and then Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, have asked the tribunal to annul the result, alleging widespread fraud. International observers, including the European Union, judged the polls "not credible."
Meanwhile, the police have beefed up security across the country ahead of tomorrow's judgment.
LEADERSHIP was also told by a top police officer that the authorities have deployed additional men to some strategic states in the country to forestall any violence that may follow the judgment.
The states where additional men have been deployed according to dependable sources are, Katsina, Kano , Oyo, Lagos and the Niger Delta states.
It was learnt on Sunday that the inspector-general of police Mr. Mike Okiro, has secured additional vehicles from the Police Equipment Foundation (PEF) to boost the vehicle support for police during the special operations.
Military sources also said the Defence Headquarters has deployed troops in the troubled Niger Delta to support the police maintain law and other after the judgment. "The government does not want to take any chance. The police authorities have been directed to ensure that no violence breaks out after the judgment whether it is in favour of President Umar Yar'Adua or not."
Also in Kano yesterday front line supporter of General Buhari and ANPP chieftain in Kano, Alhaji Ahmed Haruna Zago hoped that the tribunal would deliver a "fair and just judgment".
He however explained that Gen. Buhari will continue with his good mission of deepening the nation's democracy, whether the judgment goes in his favour or not.
The ANPP stalwart also revealed that the tomorrow's ruling will be a testing ground for President Yar'Adua's war against corruption, because according to him, it is only when the "court rules on fairness and gives justice to whom is due" , that the nation could succeed in its campaign against corruption.
Meanwhile, a former chairman of Board of Trustees, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, has strongly condemned those criticising the recommendation of Justice James Ogenyi Ogebe, a member of the Court of Appeal, to the Supreme Court by President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.
The president, acting on the recommendation by the National Judicial Council (NJC), had forwarded the name of Justice Ogebe to the Senate for confirmation as justice of the Supreme Court. But in the last few days, there have been mixed reactions over the recommendation, with some sections of the civil society group expressing concern over it.
However, in a press statement yesterday, Chief Anenih described the criticisms as unnecessary and irrational.
According to him: "I have read with keen interest comments arising from the recent appointment of the chairman of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, Justice James Ogenyi Ogebe, to the Supreme Court. Before his appointment, Justice Ogebe was a member of the Court of Appeal. Central to the comments, which have come mainly from the opposition, is the claim that the appointment of Justice Ogebe was intended to influence the outcome of the presidential election petition. I find the reactions to be largely unnecessary, irrational and without merit."
"The reaction by the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) accused President Yar'Adua of placing a "moral burden on Justice Ogebe to skew the judgment in favour of the man who promoted him." A representative of General Buhari was quoted to have said that the appointment "amounts to undue influence and it is against the rule of natural justice as we are approaching judgment day".
"I am highly dismayed by these rather mischievous comments and incorrect interpretations of the President's action which was consequent upon the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC) to the effect that Justice James Ogebe and another Justice Mukhtar Coomasie should be elevated to the Supreme Court. In seeking the endorsement of the Senate for the appointment of the two Justices, the President was acting in accordance with powers conferred on him by Section 23(1) of the 1999 Constitution. The appointments were to fill the vacancies created by the retirement of Justices Alfa Belgore (former Chief Justice of Nigeria) and Umaru Kalgo, respectively from the North-Central and the North-West."
Chief Anenih pointed out that, nearly all the critics of the President had agreed that Justice Ogebe is eminently qualified for promotion. He said, "It is, therefore, absurd to suggest that the promotion of this senior member of the bench, which is overdue, should be delayed simply because he is on a national assignment. It is tantamount to saying that government should stop the salaries of judicial officers because they have been given certain assignments to perform".
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As we eagerly await the ruling of the electoral tribunal we will be happy if the interests of the majority of nigerians will be taken into consideration when making this ground breaking ruling.A lot is at stake here,as stated by one of the petitioners,these will go a long way in really ensuring that we are fighting corruption and it,s after effects.Let all those who,ve been given the responsibiities to ensure justice is done not try to subvert the will of the majority of nigerians, but contribute meaningfully for the sake of the growth of democracy and justice in nigeria.Meanwhile,… [Read Full Text]