The All Progressives Congress, APC, Kwara State chapter has raised alarm
that desperate politicians have hijacked the Code of Conduct
Tribunal, warning that the judiciary may throw the country into needless
chaos and pandemonium.
In a statement issued in Ilorin by its Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Sulyman
Buhari, the party said the President should not be seen to be watching
helplessly when politicians hijack a crucial arm of the government to
carry out political vendetta against perceived political adversaries.
For anyone who ever doubted our position that the trial of the Senate
President is not an anti-corruption drive but political persecution and
witch-hunt, the ruling of the Tribunal on Thursday is the
clearest signal that what the Senate President is going through is nothing
but political persecution at the Tribunal. It also shows that the CCT is
being manipulated and remote-controlled by some desperate politicians.
Like the counsel to the Senate President rightly noted, we are
convinced that the right thing has not been done as far as the charges are
concerned. It is now clear and glaring that due process has not been
followed and the CCB has broken its own laws.
Given identical cases, Nigerians should note that the CCT under
Justice Umar Danladi discharged and acquitted a leader of APC in 2011
based on Section 3 (d) of the CCB/CCT Act. Why is the Senate President’s
motion on the same Section 3 (d) of the CCB/CCT Act being denied by the
same tribunal under the same Judge?
In carrying out its hatchet agenda, the tribunal didn’t mind the
implications of turning the law and its own precedent upside down. Anyone
who watch the proceedings of the tribunal meticulously on Thursday would
be convinced the tribunal has an hidden agenda and pre-determined
conclusion. Therefore, we have lost hope in the CCT and its judges
as presently constituted.
Also, we are concerned about the continued intimidation of Judges by media
blackmailers reportedly sponsored by agencies of government and
politicians. Not once, not twice, Judges have been intimidated to either
abscond with judgement or to withdraw from the cases involving the Senate
President. This is sheer injustice. If the Chairman of the National
Assembly can be treated in such way in this country, what is the fate of
the masses
The Chief Justice of Nigeria should note the rascality of judicial
officers and these clear inconsistencies.
Judgement is not suppose to be based on personal opinions and
political vendetta. It should be about the law. And the law is the law.
The CCT has been hijacked by politicians and we are concerned that the
judiciary is about to throw our beloved country into avoidable
chaos and pandemonium. The CJN should show leadership as it appears
politicians have usurped his functions and powers.
The silence of the leadership of our party is no longer golden. In the
first instance, the travails of the Senate President was initiated by the
bad losers in our party. The APC leadership should note that the Senate
President has deployed his powers and influence to protect and promote the
interests of the party and the agenda of the President Muhammadu
Buhari-led administration. It is time for the party to intervene and take
position on the ongoing trial.
Conclusively, the President has a country to run. He should not be seen to
be watching helplessly when politicians hijack a crucial arm of the
government to carry out political vendetta against perceived political
adversaries. Mr President, take charge.