The National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yabagi Sani, has called on the judicial system to demonstrate its commitment to Nigeria’s democratic processes, particularly in the context of election petition cases.
Sani’s remarks came in response to recent judgments from various election petition tribunals across the country. During an appearance on Channels Television’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ program on Thursday, he expressed concerns about the nature of these judgments, questioning whether the judiciary truly prioritizes democracy.
“The judiciary has to sit up to be counted as those who really have this country at heart, as those who want it to work. The judiciary must stand up — that yes, they are really for democracy. What I am seeing today is that the judiciary is not supporting democracy at all,” Sani stated.
He went on to criticize the decisions and orders issued by the judiciary, suggesting that they do not reflect a commitment to the survival of democracy. Sani emphasized that, in the case of the judiciary, there are no losers, be it the military or the government.
Sani called on Nigerians to hold the judiciary accountable and stressed the importance of an Electoral Act for 2022 that remains free from interference, as interference could lead to confusion in the country.
“Nigerians must stand up, not to attack or destroy anyone’s property or harm anyone but to hold these people to account,” Sani asserted. He pointed out the need for all actions to adhere to the law, particularly concerning the current Electoral Act, which should not be subject to arbitrary changes by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).