Following the nullification of the electoral victory of Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State by the Appeal Court, the National Civil Society Consultative Forum on Election Integrity (NCSCFEI) has urged the judiciary to resist political interference.
Its Convener, Mallam Salaudeen Hashim, at a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja, said that the verdict had a veneer of political interference and is unjust, unfair, and baseless.
The Appeal Court panel ruled that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State had no valid structure and had violated a state high court order that directed the party to conduct fresh congresses in the state.
Also at the briefing was the co-converner, Adeshina Oke, who said that the ‘go-to Court mantra’ passes a subliminal message about judicial fragility, corruption and tilting Nigeria to one party state which is a threat to multi-party democracy in the country.
“The Appeal Court judgment that sacked all the elected members in the state, including the Governor, is seen as unjust, unfair, and baseless and we join our voices with legal luminaries, such as Femi Falana SAN, Daniel Bwala, Kalu Agu, and several Nigerian citizens, who have rejected and condemned the verdict and appeal to the Supreme Court to correct the anomaly.
“We urge political actors to refrain from any actions that may undermine the integrity of the judiciary or compromise the independence of judges.
“Attempts to exert undue influence, make unfounded allegations, or engage in any form of intimidation against the judiciary threaten the landscape of democratic infrastructure,” Hashim said.
A member of the forum, Mr Sunday Ebi, called for an amendment of the Electoral Act in the area of campaign financing transparency.
Ebi said, “The Electoral Act of 2022 introduced commendable changes but left substantial policy gaps in campaign financing transparency, court powers for internal party democracy, and exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court over pre-election matters.
“Legislative amendments are necessary to address these vulnerabilities, which could be exploited to curtail free speech, association and assembly rights.
“These amendments should also encompass stricter penalties for electoral offences.”