The Appeal Court ruling on the Taraba State governorship election has left me worried about the future of Nigeria’s democracy.
A nation that is concerned about its democracy will not toy with the law, just as it would work hard to promote internal democracy among parties.
In Taraba State, it was a well known fact that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did not conduct Primaries and as such the governor, Darius Ishaku was not sponsored by any party to contest the election.
Based on the provision of the law, the governorship tribunal nullified the election, but the recent decision of the Appeal Court on the matter has not only caused a setback for the state but also for the nation’s democracy.
It was based on evidence that the tribunal sacked Darius Ishaku and returned Hajia Aisha Alhassan of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as governor of the state and as such the Appeal Court ruling cannot be allowed to stand. I am well aware of the fact that the election of Celestial Omehia of Rivers State was nullified because he was not duly nominated by his party to contest the election, so why is this case different?
We must be mindful of the fact that any decision that is made today will have far reaching implications.
There have been cases of imposition of candidates by parties and even in some instances where they appear to conduct Primaries, candidates do not emerge through a fair and free process.
In quashing the election of Darius Ishaku, the Tribunal highlighted these common problems in the nation’s democracy; the lack of internal democracy and flagrant disrespect for the rule of law.
The court noted that Darius Ishaku was not duly sponsored by any party to contest the election; now, an issue has been raised; the law had been broken.
The technicality of whether lt is a pre- election matter or not is another issue, as the underlying point here is that the Electoral Act has been violated.
Are we going to throw away the baby with the bath water? Is it enough to allow impunity to reign simply because of certain technicalities?
Even the PDP, shortly after the tribunal ruling noted that instead of declaring Hajia Aisha as winner, the tribunal should have called for fresh polls; that statement in itself amounts to admittance of guilt.
It was a veiled way of admitting that they did indeed violate the law. It is therefore curious that the Appeal Court went ahead to declare Darius Ishaku the duly elected governor.
Based on the law, it was expected that the Appeal Court would uphold the tribunal ruling or in worse case scenario, ask for fresh election in the state.
The Supreme Court must upturn the ruling to redeem the image of the judiciary and restore the confidence of the masses.
I further urge the court to consider the suffering of Taraba people in delivering it’s judgement. This is the only state in the country, that in a spate of four years has had about four governors. There is a need for stability so that the state can witness some form of development.
The only way the nation’s democracy can grow is by allowing justice and truth to reign and all stakeholders must be mindful of that.
By Ignatius Usman
Ignatius77@yahoo.com
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