Caution Judiciary Over Post-Election Cases
LEADERS from the Southern and Middle Belt part of the country, under the aegis of Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) have restated its call for true federalism and respect for the autonomy of the federating units as the only way to secure the future of Nigeria.
The Forum, while commending Nigerian youths for their courage and astuteness in expressing their interest in the future of the country, urge them not to become discouraged by some of the seeming outcomes, but to remain undeterred and emboldened to carry their foresight of building a new Nigeria to fruition, and to note that the struggle for the needed change has just begun.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of a crucial meeting held on Wednesday, May 24 in Abuja, chaired by elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, and attended by Chief Ayo Adebanjo (Southwest); President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu (Southeast); National President, Middle Belt Forum, Dr. Pogu Bitrus (Middle Belt) and National Chairman, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien (South-South).
The leaders expressed shock at the escalation of killings, destruction of communities and means of livelihood in several targeted areas in select states since after this year’s general elections, particularly in Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Kebbi and some states in the Southeast, where hundreds of armless citizens have been killed, lamenting that the country’s security agencies “have continued to show unwillingness to decisively deal with the perpetrators of these monstrous acts, or rather, deliberately turned a blind eye to the atrocious occurrences, thereby exposing the country to a seeming state of war.”
The Forum said it is shameful that non-state actors are allowed to openly use dangerous weapons about and rampage the country unhindered.
It condemned “the cavalier and totally nonchalant attitudes of the outgoing governors of some states over the collapse of security in certain parts of their states, which has continued to exacerbate the worrisome situation and hopes their successors will show greater commitment to the welfare of their citizens who are the victims of this sad situation.”
SMBLF warned that the continuous abdication of government’s primary and abiding constitutional responsibility of safeguarding the lives and properties of its citizens is an irresistible signal to Nigerians to exercise their inalienable rights of self-defence, by all means.
The leaders deplored the inhuman plight of thousands of indigenous people, especially in the Middle Belt, driven out of their homes and have become Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) for years and left to live in conditions that impinge on their human rights as citizens, calling on the Federal Government to, without any further delay, facilitate the return and reintegration of the IDPs to their communities.
On post-election cases, SMBLF urged the Judiciary to be aware that all Nigerians are watching with very keen interest, the ongoing judicial processes various election tribunals across the country, cautioning judiciary at all levels to be mindful that the present process is a true test of our effort at building a country based on rule of law and respect for our constitution.
It stated: “It is the expectation of Nigerians that the outcome of the processes will be a reflection of the provisions of the constitution of the country, which must be sacrosanct, and the rights of all affected parties upheld based on the provisions of the laws of Nigeria.”
SMBLF commended the various political parties and candidates for subjecting themselves to the judicial processes in line with the constitution and the Electoral Laws of the country.
On the economy, the leaders expressed worry over the rising level of indebtedness being incurred by the Federal Government, particularly the recent request for $800million World Bank loan, a request it charged the government to rescind.
While decrying the rising cost of living in the country and the hyper inflation rate, which it said has confined majority of Nigerians to a dire state of survival, the leaders charged government at all levels to take urgent and practical steps to rejig the economy, check inflation and help improve citizens’ well-being and prospects.
The meeting was also attended by Oba Oladipo Olaitan (Deputy Leader of Afenifere); Gen. Lawrence Onoja (rtd); Mr. Potter L. Dabup (rtd DIG); Chief John Nnia Nwodo; Amb. Okey Emuchay (Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo); Dr. Eze Ibe Nwosu; Amb. Eddy Onuoha; Chief Simon Okeke; Amb. Godknows Igali; Prof. G. G. Darah; Chief Sola Ebiseni (Secretary General of Afenifere); Dr. Akin Fapohunda; Chief Supo Shonibare; Prof. Charles Nwekeaku; Dr. Alex Ogbonnia; Dr. Ene Ede; Elder Mac Emakpore; Prince Maikpobi Okareme; Mr. Ben Akaakar; Mr. Jonathan Tsaku and Dr. Ken Robinson, among others.
