Is INEC About To Unleash Anarchy In Abia?

Following the June 27, 2016, ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which sacked Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu as the Governor of Abia State, Okezie approached the Court of Appeal to contest the judgment. But earlier today, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) issued a Certificate of Return to Mr. Uche Ogah to be sworn in as Abia Governor despite the motion for a stay of execution pending before the Appeals Court.

*Mr. Ogah receiving his Certificate
of Return at the INEC Headquarters Abuja

Analysts believe that this is an invitation to anarchy. Reports say that Mr. Ugah is on his way to Umuahia to "claim his mandate" while the  sitting governor, following established precedents, is still holding forte as Abia Governor. It will be a case of two governors in Abia State and recipe for crisis.

Observers are worried that INEC, by its action, is about to unleash crisis in Abia State in which the casualty will, as usual, be the ordinary people who will be drawn into it by blind loyalty. 

Hired Writers Behind Purported Interview Granted By Me - Femi Falana

Press Release

My attention has just been drawn to an obnoxious publication of an interview that I never granted. In the fake interview, I was alleged to have condemned the judgment of the Court of Appeal in respect of the governorship election in Akwa Ibom State. I did not grant the interview ascribed to me by the hack writers. In fact, I could not have condemned the judgment as it is well grounded in law. The so called interview is a hatchet job in every material particular.

Those who know me will attest to the fact that I have never supported the rigging of elections in any manner whatsoever and howsoever. Hence, I have consistently supported the use of PVC and Card Readers which were strenuously opposed by election manipulators in the country. As a lawyer, I have never represented election riggers in any court or tribunal. As a public commentator, I have regularly advocated for the prosecution of election riggers in Nigeria and in other African countries.

Nigeria: O Justice, Where Are You?

By Chibiko Nwakaudu

I have watched the judicial terrain as regards the electoral jurisprudence with trepidation and grave concern. This era is without doubt the worst for those seeking justice in the several electoral matters that have been brought to the tribunals and some of the superior courts.

I must make this clarification early. I am not a lawyer. I am just a right-thinking member of the Nigerian Community who has been dismayed by the happenings in the hitherto temple of justice. I further declare that the views here are my personal observations and conclusions, based on my interpretation of the ugly situation in the country.

Indeed, anyone who is a close observer of the nation’s judicial system since May 29, would agree that the delivery of justice is facing un-mitigated challenge and interference from external quarters. The aim of the interferences are targeted at manipulating the justice system to favour the political party at the centre, the APC.

Therefore, we have a situation where different tribunals and appellate courts deliver judgments on the platforms of the political affiliation of the affected litigants. In other words, the relevant laws, especially the constitution and the Electoral Act count for nothing. The judgments being churned out are mere political essays, but backed by the force of law because those reading the essays wear judicial robes and are constituted by the relevant judicial authorities.

Otherwise, these judgments on electoral matters, so far, are merely akin to the permutations of the chairmen of town unions. You know town union chairmen pass their rulings under the guidance of the powerful members of the unions, who would have instructed them to do so. Though these town unions have by-laws, they are hardly referred to.