Niger Delta youths fault A’Court’s verdict in 3 states

The Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC), on Saturday, faulted the decisions of the Court of Appeal on the governorship disputes in Plateau, Kano and Zamfara states. The youths, which cited verdicts on governorship elections in Kano, Plateau and Zamfara states, said discriminatory application of legal standards between the North and other regions, signify a broader […]

The Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC), on Saturday, faulted the decisions of the Court of Appeal on the governorship disputes in Plateau, Kano and Zamfara states.

The youths, which cited verdicts on governorship elections in Kano, Plateau and Zamfara states, said discriminatory application of legal standards between the North and other regions, signify a broader conspiracy aimed at debilitating and fragmenting the region.

NDYC Coordinator, Comrade Israel Uwejeyan, in a statement, implored stakeholders to prioritize the restoration of coherence and integrity to the electoral process

Uwejeyan said: “The prevailing uncertainties within the judiciary pose a substantial risk, evident in the disparate rulings of the Appellate Court in states like Kano, Plateau, and Zamfara.

“The ostensible divergence in judicial interpretations has cast a pall of uncertainty upon the electoral landscape, compelling the vigilant attention of our discerning youth constituency.

“It is imperative to underscore our unwavering commitment to the principles of democracy, justice, and the rule of law, which form the bedrock of our societal fabric.

“The Byzantine nature of the legal labyrinth within which these electoral contests find themselves necessitates a nuanced and comprehensive analysis.

“The cacophony of legal postulations and discordant rulings has sown the seeds of doubt within the public psyche, thereby impinging upon the sanctity and integrity of the electoral process.”

NDYC said the appellate court ought to have dispensed verdicts imbued with unassailable coherence and consistency, to boost the confidence of the people in the judiciary.

“In the Kano case, the Appellate Court’s ruling on Abba v APC raises questions regarding the court’s jurisdiction in pre-election matters. The well-established electoral jurisprudence principle that designates pre-election matters exclusively to the Pre-Election Court finds support in various legal authorities, including the Supreme Court’s stance in Peter Obi v INEC.

“Regrettably, the Appellate Court’s departure from these principles in the Abba case necessitates correction by the Supreme Court, the bastion of justice,” the group said.