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HURIWA Raises Concerns Over Judicial Integrity, Faults Contradictory Judgement

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Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) on Sunday expressed strong concerns over recent judgements bordering on elections in Plateau State.

Addressing a press conference on Sunday in Abuja, HURIWA’s national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said recent events in Plateau have cast a shadow of doubt and suspicion over the integrity of the state’s judiciary.

The organization raised questions about the impartiality of the judiciary and its role in ensuring fair and just elections in Nigeria.

The rights group expressed its deep concern over seeming coordinated effort to issue contradictory judgements, particularly favouring the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the expense of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

“These concerns go beyond post-election matters and extend to pre-election cases, which, according to established legal precedent, should not be revisited at the appellate level,” the group said.

One of the primary issues raised by HURIWA was the issuance of contradictory judgements by the Appeal Courts in Plateau State.

“In some instances where the APC came in second, PDP candidates were removed, and the certificate of return was given to the APC, while in other cases where the APC came in third or lower, the courts ordered a rerun. HURIWA considers this inconsistency alarming and believes it raises suspicions of bias.

“Specifically, in the case of Plateau North Senatorial District won by Sen. Simon Mwadkwon of the PDP and the APC candidate coming in third, the Panel, in its judgment in Court of Appeal No. CA/J/EP/PL/SEN/12/2023 delivered on Sunday, October, 2023, curiously annulled the PDP’s victory and ordered INEC to conduct a rerun election among all the parties.

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“In the case of Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency won by Hon. Musa Agar of the PDP and where the APC candidate also came in third, the Panel, in its judgment in Court of Appeal No. CA/J/EP/PL/HR/14/2023 delivered on Friday, October, 2023, annulled the victory of the PDP and ordered a rerun excluding the PDP.

“In the third Appeal Case of Shendam/Quaan-Pan/Mikang Federal Constituency, won by Hon. Isaac Kwallu of the PDP with John Dafwan of the APC as runner-up, the Appeal Court Justices in Court of Appeal No.

CA/J/EP/PL/HR/18/2023 annulled the victory of the PDP candidate, declared the APC candidate as the outright winner, and ordered that the Certificate of Return issued to the victorious PDP candidate be withdrawn and a fresh Certificate of Return issued to the APC candidate, ” HURIWA said.

Stating that Pre-election matters have also been subjected to judicial review, leading to the overturning of victories recorded by the PDP in the 2023 elections, HURIWA emphasized that the Court of Appeal did not deliver judgments based on the law and the facts, as the law dictates, stressing that the inconsistency with established legal norms and principles raises concerns about the independence of the judiciary.

“Furthermore, allegations against the President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, have added to the scrutiny. While there is no concrete evidence of her involvement in any impropriety, speculations regarding her ethnic background and perceived connections to the Plateau State APC leader are concerning.

“In response to these developments, HURIWA called for an immediate halt to the perceived systematic use of the judiciary to favour the APC in Plateau State.

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” The organization outlined several key actions to address these concerns, including the need for transparency and accountability within the judiciary, emphasizing judicial independence, and the review and reconsideration of recent judgments that appear inconsistent with established legal norms.

“HURIWA underscored the importance of restoring public confidence by adhering to the principles of fairness, justice, and impartiality within the judiciary,” it said.

The group also stressed the significance of educating the public about the role and functioning of the judiciary to foster a better understanding of its importance in Nigeria’s democracy.

While reaffirming its commitment to the rule of law, democracy, and justice, HURIWA pledged to monitor developments in Plateau State and across the nation to ensure that the rights of the people are upheld.

“HURIWA called on all stakeholders, including the judiciary, political parties, and the public, to work together to protect and uphold the values that define Nigeria as a nation,” it added.

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Talks About Coalition Not Sincere, PDP Not Ready For 2027 – Wike

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…Gives condition to forgive Fubara

… Says I wanted Fubara’s removal, Tinubu saved Rivers

Abubakar Yunusa

Nyesom Wike has described talks about a coalition to unseat President Bola Tinubu as not sincere and believes those behind it are doing so for selfish reasons.

Wike, the Minister of the FCT, said this in Abuja on Friday during a media chat, accusing the masterminds of running away from issues bedevilling the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s main opposition party.

He said, “those who are looking for a coalition are for selfish interests, the likes of Atiku and other people, which coalition, with whom?

“Why not come in to repair your party? Everybody wants to become president of the country, nobody wants to say, look, let me build our party so that at the end of the day, our party will be in a formidable position as an opposition party to take over power.

“You don’t do that, the only thing you want to do is let me find a way; how I will be the one, and if that does not happen, then it’s to your tent, oh Israel,” the immediate past governor of Rivers state said.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, are among political heavyweights planning to float a coalition to dislodge President Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 election.

That push has continued to make headlines in the country in the past months, but Wike said those behind it, especially members of the main opposition PDP, should fix their party instead.

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Wike criticised Atiku, the arrowhead of the coalition movement, saying the ex-VP is about to make the mistakes that led to the PDP’s defeat in the 2023 presidential election.

“You make the mistake yesterday, you want to repeat the same mistake today, tomorrow you make the same mistake, and then you come out to say you were rigged out, who rigged you out? You’ve already rigged yourself by causing crisis,” Wike said.

The minister, who is a member of the PDP, also said the party is not ready for the next presidential election scheduled for 2027.

“The PDP is not ready for the 2027 election. It is very obvious. For instance, I have an examination and I am going to class to read. Indeed, am I reading? Am I studying? You don’t need to deceive anybody that you are reading. You are only trying to read so that people will see that you have carried your bag to class,” he said.

“That is the situation of the PDP. So, they cannot say for sure that they are ready for 2027. Power struggle cannot help the party.”

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Kaduna Has Expanded Access To Tertiary Education — Uba Sani

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Governor Uba Sani says his administration has improved access to tertiary education in Kaduna State by reducing tuition fees of state-owned tertiary institutions by 50%.

Speaking through his Principal Private Secretary, Professor Bello Ayuba, at the inauguration of the Kaduna State University (KASU) chapter of the Kaduna State Students Union and a public lecture, the Governor stated that the tuition cut has enabled more students from low-income backgrounds to pursue university degrees with greater ease.

Governor Uba Sani expressed gratitude to the students for honouring him with the Sword of Honour Award and acknowledged their recognition of his administration’s developmental strides.

He reassured the students of his government’s continued support, urging them to maintain peace to allow development initiatives to thrive. “Government will continue to support students and the youth generally to realize their ambitions. On your part, make sure that an atmosphere of peace prevails to allow for government’s development programmes to run their full course,” he said.

The Governor advised students not to allow themselves to be used by agents of disunity and chaos, warning that no meaningful development can occur in a climate of unrest and distrust. However, he commended students for being “reliable partners of progress.”

Addressing the issue of security, Uba Sani recalled how parts of the state were under siege due to insecurity, which disrupted farming and business activities. He said the situation has improved considerably through the efforts of security agencies, leading to safer roads, the return of farmers, and the reopening of local markets—including the Birnin Gwari cattle market after a decade-long closure.

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Highlighting ongoing infrastructure efforts, the Governor said his administration has embarked on over 78 road projects covering 775 kilometers, many of which are rural link roads. He added that General Hospitals are being remodelled and 255 healthcare centres upgraded. Additionally, new schools are being constructed while existing ones are being refurbished to create a better learning environment.

The student union explained that Governor Uba Sani was awarded the Sword of Honour for his commitment to educational development. They praised the tuition reduction and the establishment of new faculties at KASU, including his facilitation of the CBN Intervention Project for the Faculty of Engineering.

They also commended the Governor’s directive allowing students to sit for examinations regardless of outstanding fees, describing it as a gesture of compassion and commitment to inclusive education.

The union concluded that Governor Uba Sani has redefined good governance by prioritizing education, infrastructure, and youth empowerment.

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Easter: Bury hate, build bridges – Bishop tells Nigerians

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The Anglican Bishop of Nike Diocese in Enugu State, Rt. Rev. Christian Onyia, has urged Nigerians to resist temptation of mischief-makers dividing them along ethnic and religious lines for selfish interest.

In an Easter Message he issued on Friday in Enugu, Onyia charged Nigerians to “bury hate and build bridges.”

“Jesus said, a house divided against itself cannot stand” (Mark 3:25). Let us pursue truth, justice and love,” he said.

The cleric called on Nigerian leaders to embrace accountable, responsive, and capable leadership, adding that “a nation without righteous leadership is doomed to mourn.”

Onyia said that restoration of the nation’s glory and path of socioeconomic progress were highly possible but only through God.

“We can still rise. We can still build. But not by might or power, only by the Spirit of God. God’s plans for Nigeria and the nations are still good, but we must return to Him in truth and humility.

“Christ conquered sin, death, and the grave, offering salvation and restoration to all who believe; His resurrection assures us that no situation is beyond God’s power to redeem, not even the crises we face today in Nigeria,” he said.

The bishop called for repentance and Nigerians turning from their wickedness, corruption, hatred, greed, injustice, immorality and seek God’s face.

“No amount of political reform or economic policy will succeed without moral revival,” he added. (NAN)

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