Northern groups urge Supreme Court to ‘respect popular mandate’ in Kano, Plateau, Zamfara
Ahead of expected rulings to be delivered by the Supreme Court in the appeals filed by incumbent governors of Kano, Zamfara and Plateau states challenging their sackings by the Courts of Appeal, a coalition of rights groups in the northern region led by the Northern Initiative for Peace and Economic Development (NIPED) has urged the apex court to ‘respect popular mandate’ of the electorate.
The groups said their position follows reports which have alleged that the apex court has been compromised by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) seeking to overturn the wishes of the people in the affected states.
It would be recalled that the Court of Appeal in Abuja had, last month, invalidated the election of the three affected state governors on various appeals filed by the APC candidates in the March 18, 2023 Governorship Election.
However, while the Court of Appeal sacked Governors Abbas Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano and Caleb Mutfwang of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau in favour of their APC challengers, that of the Zamfara was ordered for a rerun.
Leader of the groups, Abel Jilemsam stated that the peace and stability of Kano, Plateau and Zamfara are integral to the overall wellbeing of Nigeria.
Jilemsam made the assertion during a world press conference tagged, “urgent appeal for justice, respect for popular mandate in Kano, Plateau and Zamfara governorship election petition Appeal judgments” held on Tuesday in Jos.
“We recognise the importance of a fair and impartial judiciary in upholding the rule of law and safeguarding democratic principles. The judiciary plays a critical role in ensuring justice, protecting citizens’ rights, and preserving the credibility of the electoral process.
“Any actions that compromise these principles undermine the very foundation of any democratic nation. Without a functioning judiciary, there is a risk of constitutional violations going unchecked, leading to the erosion of citizens’ rights and freedoms. The fairness and transparency of the judicial system are vital for fostering public trust, confidence, and belief in the democratic process.
“It is imperative to emphasize that any attempt to manipulate or subvert the will of the people using judicial tools, particularly by the ruling APC, will not be accepted. The foundation of a robust democracy lies in the integrity of the electoral system and the adherence to fair and transparent processes.
“The citizens of Kano, Plateau, and Zamfara have exercised their democratic rights, and their voices must be heard and honored. Attempts to undermine the sanctity of these elections not only jeopardize the democratic principles that Nigeria upholds but also erode public trust in the electoral process.
“We call upon all stakeholders, including the electoral authorities and the judiciary, to ensure a thorough and unbiased judgement as we head to Supreme Court for disputes arising from the ruling of appeal Judgments. It is crucial that the legal processes be transparent, just, and free from any undue influence to preserve the democratic foundation on which our nation stands.
“In the spirit of unity and progress, we urge all parties involved to prioritize the greater good of the people and respect the outcome of the elections. Upholding the popular mandate is paramount for the sustained growth and development of our democratic values in Nigeria,” the groups said.
