The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amb. Umar Illiya Damagum has expressed deep concerns over the All Progressives Congress’s (APC) perceived efforts to jeopardize Nigeria’s democratic processes.
Highlighting the threat of a growing authoritarian tendency, the PDP accused the APC-led presidency of attempting to subvert democratic institutions, particularly the judiciary, to manipulate election outcomes across various states.
Of particular worry to the PDP were instances where compromised Electoral Petition Courts allegedly favoured the APC, overturning victories won by the PDP in states like Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Delta, and Ogun, among others.
A spotlight was cast on the Plateau State Election Appeal Court Panel, whose controversial judgments contradicted established legal precedents, raising concerns of undue influence and bias favouring the APC.
Damagum said:
”Given the inexplicable infractions in the varying judgments and the grave tension they triggered in Plateau state, our party, in line with the aspiration and expectation of the people of Plateau state took a firm position and demanded that the President of the Court of Appeal immediately disband the allegedly compromised Plateau State Election Appeal Court Panel.
”Our party also demanded that a new Plateau State Election Appeal Court Panel be constituted to hear the remaining appeals and that the manifestly bias and inconsistent judgments of the Plateau State Election Appeal Court Panel already delivered in the Appeals be subjected to judicial review.
”To this effect, I, as the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, addressed a Petition to the President of the Court of Appeal wherein I officially restated the findings and demands of the PDP against the Plateau State Election Appeal Court Panel.
”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.
”The continuing stay of the Appeal Panel is clearly pitching the people against the court and the institution of the judiciary. It is vexatious, inciting and amounts to snubbing an affronted and injured people and daring them to do their worst.”
The PDP vehemently stated their adherence to electoral regulations during their primaries in Plateau state and vowed to pursue legal means to uphold democratic ideals and the people’s will.
The party also called on the Chief Justice of the Federation to disband the Appeal Court panel in the Plateau case.
