‘Wike, Makinde Monitoring Judges for Tinubu’

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

As if justifying the claims that there are plans to compromise the judiciary,  Phrank Shaibu, the Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku Abubakar has lambasted  former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State for constantly monitoring and spying on  judges even as the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal winds down.

Last week, Atiku in a statement raised the alarm that there are plans to compromise the judiciary ahead of the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal. The  Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) debunked the allegation by Atiku.

But in a statement yesterday, Shaibu said it was curious that Wike and Makinde both travelled to Plateau State to attend a memorial service hosted by the President of the Appeal Court, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, even though they were reportedly not invited.

He explained that  the event ordinarily was supposed to be a solemn service, “but our busybody interlopers polluted the event with their shameful appearance.”

Atiku’s aide further added that, “Wike had been using dubious means to cosy up to judges and had been giving them gifts under the guise of welfare.”

He argued that Wike’s latest visit to an event hosted by the Appeal Court President could be another ruse to influence the appellate court where the current tribunal judges are from.

Shaibu noted that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, made a freudian slip a few months ago when he claimed he was happy that Governor Makinde was a member of the renegade governors known as the G5.

He stated: “Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State as the host governor, was invited for the programme, but Wike and Makinde were gate crashers at that event. The reason is not far-fetched. They have continued to cosy up to judges just to impress their paymaster.

“Unfortunately, the CJN, Justice Ariwoola, has also failed to live above suspicion. He was in Rivers State ahead of the election, where he said he was happy that Governor Makinde was a member of G5. Then, at the commissioning of the Oyo Governor’s lodge in Abuja on May 25, the CJN once again was the special guest of Governor Makinde.

“Today, there are rumours that the next attorney-general will be a kinsman of the CJN as part of efforts to manipulate the outcome of the election petition tribunal. While this has not been proven, the fact remains that the CJN has put himself in a position where his integrity is constantly questioned.”

Shaibu maintained that Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa’s confession that he convinced his wife, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa – a former Appeal Court President – to grant some favours to his colleagues in the Senate had vindicated Atiku.

He added: “In 2019, we asked the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, to recuse herself because of conflict of interest since her husband was an APC senator. This same APC said we were crying wolf where there was none.

“Four years later, we were vindicated after Senator Bulkachuwa himself on the floor of the Senate admitted that his wife granted favours to some of his colleagues. Our suspicions are never wrong.

“Governor Wike continually feels too familiar with judges because his wife is one. He gives judges gifts in the name of welfare. This is ironic given the fact that this is a man who does not believe in the rule of law.

“We hereby call the attention of Nigerians to the clandestine and surreptitious moves of Governor Makinde and Wike who is seeking to impress Tinubu because of a protection and ministerial appointment that will be short-lived.”