The Nigerian constitution remains supreme to all personal and political interest, the era of impunity and imposition is gone. The action of APC in Kogi State has indicated a new dawn in Nigerian politics. The cabals are forced to understand that a new Sheriff is in town and things can’t be done the old ways anymore.
Our attention has been drawn to a recent publication in The Nation newspaper, which states that the swearing in of Alhaji Yahaya Bello will be unconstitutional, we could have ignore but it will be disheartening if don’t respond to some of the blind argument raised in that publication. The decision of INEC to ask APC to substitute it candidate for the supplementary election was in line with the provision of the electoral act.
The choice of Alhaji Yahaya Bello by APC was also in accordance with the party constitution and in confirmation with the Nigerian constitution. The writer of the said article must be reminded of several Supreme Court judgements which give the right to political parties to substitute their candidates. The case of Alhaji Lado Danmariki vs Alhaji Bello Masari all of the defunct CPC should be a case study.
Again the Supreme Court also delivered another astonishing judgement in the case of Rotimi Ameachi vs Celestin Omehia that votes are cast for political parties not individuals, so the idea of one inheriting a dead man votes does not stand since APC, as a political party is still alive.
Honestly, it would have been a slap on democracy had APC acted otherwise, this also shows that the legal team of APC are made up of sound mind and men of honour. The writer also claims that INEC erred by declaring the election inconclusive, this was the highest level of ignorance. The electoral act did not say the numbers of PVC’s collected should be used as a yardstick to declare elections inconclusive but the numbers of registered voters.
We are also aware of desperate element trying to bribe the electoral tribunal judges with the sum of five hundred million naira to stop the inauguration of Alhaji yahaya Bello, we are sure they will be put to shame. As we now have absolute trust in the Nigeria judiciary under the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari Kogi remains the beauty of our nascent democracy, so nobody should attempt to disturb the peace loving people of the state by their selfish interest.
Comrade Ahmed Omeiza Lukman,
Chairman Nigeria Community In Ukraine.
