Again, PDP demands disbandment of Plate Election Appeal Court Pane

Again, PDP demands disbandment of Plateau Election Appeal Court Pane

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has reiterates its call on the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and the President of the Court of Appeal to immediately disband the Plateau State Election Appeal Court Panels and set up a new one.

The PDP acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday also repeated the party’s demand that the conflicting judgments by the state appeal court panel be reviewed.

Damagum said that the such action was necessary to restore confidence in the judiciary.

He alleged an attempt to emasculate institutions of democracy, especially the judiciary to overturn the expressed will of Nigerians in the various election matters across the country.

Damagum said that of particular concern was the perverse pattern in which election won by PDP were being turn down by the Election Petition and Appeal Panels, especially in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Delta, Ogun and others.

He said of serious concern was the continuing stay of the Plateau State Election Appeal Court Panels sitting in Abuja in spite widespread demands by the people of the state and the PDP for its immediate disbandment of the appeal.

He said that the panel judgments were contradictory, biased against PDP were also against the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, INEC’s Guidelines and Regulations for elections.

He said that the Panel in some of it judgments ordered a rerun where the PDP won and the APC came third.

He added that in some other instances where the APC came second, it ordered that the Certificate of Return issued to the victorious PDP candidate be withdrawn and ones be issued to the APC candidate, who came second in the election.

“This is especially as our party duly conducted our Primary elections in Plateau State in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 and which was appropriately monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” he said.

Damagum said that given the varying judgments the PDP demanded that the immediate disbandment of the Panels for new one as well that the already delivered judgments by the Appeals be subjected to judicial review.

“It Is however curious and disturbing that up till this moment, none of the issues or demands made by the PDP has been addressed or met, “ he said.

Such inaction according to Damagum, will affect the respect and confidence of the people in the judiciary adding that such portends a great danger for democracy, peace and tranquility of country.

“The PDP therefore In very strong terms again calls on the CJN, the Court of Appeal to save the situation by immediately insulating the courts from the alleged influence of the anti-people cabal seeking to emasculate the judiciary and impose a totalitarian regime our country.

“The PDP also urges the CJN and the President of the Court of Appeal, as very experienced judicial officers, to restore confidence in the Judiciary.

“They should immediately disband the present Plateau State Election Appeal Court Panel, set up a new Appeal Panel and subject the bias judgments by the Plateau State Election Appeal Court Panel to judicial review.

“This is the only way to avert crisis in Plateau State and redeem the image of the judiciary from further negative public commentary, “ the acting PDP national chairman said

Damagum added that the PDP would not relent in all its efforts to defend and preserve Nigeria democracy, respect for the will of the people as well as the integrity of the Judiciary particularly in the handling of electoral matters in the country.

“In this regard, the PDP invites all well-meaning Nigerians, civil society organizations, the media and indeed all lovers of democracy across the world to rise to the occasion, speak out.

“They take urgent legitimate steps to defend the integrity of our judicial system and stem a looming crisis in our beloved country,” he said.