CSO eulogies kogi governorship Tribunal members, implores judges to stand by truth
By Godwin Anyanwu
A civil society organisation under the aegis of Northern Initiative for the Defence of Democracy( NIDD)has commended the members of the kogi state governorship election tribunal, sitting in Abuja for their resolve to give a fair hearing to all the parties involved in the November 11th gubernatorial election in the state.
The president of the group, Ambassador Nurudeen Musa Sadiq, flanked by his secretary, Hajia Ramatu AbdulRahaman disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja on Saturday.
The president said the decision of the tribunal judges so far expressed neutrality and flexibility, as embedded in its enabling law in handling the disputes arising from the kogi gubernatorial election, saying , the posture is a watershed for an enduring democracy in the country.
Ambassador Sadiq said judges all over the world consider evidence (s) adduced before their courts , including compliance with enabling laws on matters in dispute before passing their judgement.
He said records had shown that disputes arising from election matters in the country were mostly considered on alter of sentiments, technicality as well as personal views of judges and impunity of leaders and other interest groups.
The group said , unfortunately, indication has shown recently that kogi state had been a victim of such judgements, with consequences of emerging leadership devoid of the feelings of the people.
“In one of such judgements in 2016 on kogi gubernatorial tussle , the Apex court set it aside, sensing its flaws as it came up with a caveat that it should not be referred to in the court of the land anywhere in subsequent electoral dispute “, he said .
The group therefore implored the kogi governorship election tribunal to toe the part of honour and do something differently for the court of the land to be seen as the last hope of the deprived, cheated and poor persons in the society.
Ambassador Sadiq said the present tribunal judges have shown there is still hope for the common man in his quest to seek for redress in the court of law in this country by expressing its character according to the enabling law.
He said this can been viewed from the happenings since the tribunal commenced the legal fire work to resolve the dispute arising from kogi gubernatorial election.
The group stated that despite the hiccups created by interest groups in the dispute , the tribunal members stood their ground to ensure that the case before them is given an objective treatment as demanded by the law .
“We are aware of the orchestrated attack and campaign of calumny against the tribunal members from the onset, that supposed to discourage and disarm them to succumb to whims and caprices of the combatants in the disputes , but the judges stood their ground resolutely.
“We are also in the know, how their lives came under threat and attack because of their avowed stance to treat the electoral disputes before them on its merit legally, by orchestrated terrorism against them .
“It’s still fresh in our minds how the tribunal members came under blackmail by interest groups for their refusing to bend the rules or dance to the tune of certain power that be”, said Ambassador Sadiq.
The group therefore implored the judges to stand by the path of truth to the end, and not be deterred by the antics of these tribal and regional leaders who are out to intimidate them to have their way, stressing, history will not forget them when the chips are down and their names will be written with an indelible mark on the sand of time.
Ambassador Sadiq who said the truth remains that the consistency of the tribunal members has made the case to go thus so far, appealed to them to play the game by its rules and declare the right person as decided by electorate on 11th gubernatorial election, for a new dawn in kogi .
He said : “Mark you , the whole world , particularly the helpless electorate in kogi whose votes never counts in previous elections will sieve a sigh of relief for the first time , if the case is treated on evidence as revealed by electoral materials/ equipment , compliance to the rules of the enabling laws and witnesses rather than on technicality, which was the vogue on kogi electoral matters.
“It is worthy of note that as the Plaintiffs and Respondents are closing their case by a way of submitting their final written addresses on the disputed subject matter on 13th May 2024 , the onus lies on the judges to critically assess the evidences before them to pass their judgement.
The group urged the parties in the election dispute to realize that it’s the interest of millions of voters, not parochial interest of leaders or interest groups that matters at the ongoing case in the Tribunal .
Ambassador Sadiq said it makes sense to hear the leaders, saying the poors and the needy should be allowed to breathe, but the poors can only breathe if their votes are allowed to count and the leadership of their choice is enthroned; not being decided on technicality of the law coloured by sentiments and impunity.
