The National Judicial Council (NJC) has been called upon to relocate Appeal Court justices in Delta State and all matters relating to the 2023 governorship election in the State to Abuja, the federal capital territory (FCT).
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports a group known as Delta State Assembly of Youth Leaders (DSAYL) made the call during a press conference held at the Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Warri Correspondents’ Chapel.
The group also called on politicians in the State, who lost at the tribunal to prepare for the next round of elections, rather than inflaming passions.
Comrade Dudun Oritsegbubemi Patrick, who addressed the press briefing, stressed the NJC should relocate all matters relating to the 2023 elections to forestall unnecessary agitations that may lead to the breakdown of law and order in the State.
“We have uncovered a new trend in post-election intrigues which bothers political tensions in our nascent democracy. It is public knowledge that the General elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) gave birth to several electoral litigations by the candidates across boards.
“Post-election litigations in Nigeria have become as constant as the Northern star which verily questions the integrity of our electoral umpires which is not supposed to be so.
“Nevertheless, today, we are not here to talk about the fairness of our elections but to point out an issue that should be handled swiftly and carefully by the government of Nigeria to avert unnecessary agitations that may lead to the breakdown of law and order,” Comrade Patrick said.
According to Patrick, the group has observed with keen attention the brewing political tension in the State, following the election tribunal verdicts passed in the State.
“While some political pundits are jubilating, some are sad and angry in view of the verdicts. Elections and post-election violence is nothing new in Delta State.
“Delta State produces approximately 40 percent of Nigeria’s oil. According to Nigeria’s 1999 constitution, 13 percent of federal revenue from natural resources is returned to the state from which it came, on a “derivation” basis.
“Delta State is thus the richest state in the Nigerian federation, and control of its government structures is a major prize both for the individuals and the political parties concerned.
“Historically, among the main causes of the 2003 fighting in Delta State (as in 1999) have been disputes over the manner in which state and federal elections would be run, and the lack of confidence in the institutions responsible for resolving those disputes and ensuring the vote would be free and fair.
“What we do not want as a group in the State, is aggrieved persons hijacking the peace and tranquillity currently being enjoyed in Delta State as there seems to be growing tension in the camp of those who lost to their opponents at the various tribunals,” Patrick said.
He went further to say: “It is on this note that the Delta State Assembly Of Youth Leaders (DSAYL) is calling on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to relocate all election tribunal appeal hearings in Delta State to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
“The political tension is not only in Delta State but can be sensed in some States nationwide. We believe as a group that our Justices must be protected at all costs and the sanctity of the judiciary must be upheld at all times.
“We also know that the best way to do this is through the protection of esteemed wigs of the judiciary.
“Furthermore, we call on politicians who have lost at the tribunals to prepare for the next round of elections, rather than inflaming passions.
“We look forward to the kind and swift response of the NJC’s leadership. in order to avert unnecessary agitations that may degenerate to breakdown of law and order in the State”.