Coalition Knocks Politicians over Abuse of Judiciary, Says Democracy Under Threat

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

A coalition of youth groups and non-governmental organisation in the South-south has lamented the level of deterioration in the Nigerian system, saying that the country’s democracy is under serious threat.

The coalition which includes; the South-south Routine Movement, Rivers chapter; Delta Youth Movement for Good Governance; Bayelsa Routine Movement, among others also accused the political class of using the judiciary as a tool against the people.

The coalition made the assertion yesterday in Port Harcourt, while speaking on the current developments relating to democracy, economy and the rule of law in the country.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, the spokesperson for the Bayelsa Routine Movement, Mr. Podoki Austin, said the last elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi were alleged evidence of how the system have been affected badly, stressing that  electoral umpire has not been able to show that it can deliver a free, fair and transparent election in the country.

According to the group, “We are all witnesses to the struggles that citizens of our country are currently going through. Our democracy, especially as could be seen by all after the 2023 general election and also the three off-cycle elections in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo states is under threat.

“The electoral umpire was unable to deliver free, fair and transparent elections and it is probably right to say that Nigerians on the whole feel that the country is worse off than after the 2019 election. The economy of the country is in a sorry state. The Naira has lost value.

“Inflation, especially food inflation, is on the high side. Unemployment is on the rise, and more concerning to us is youth unemployment. Our currency is now weaker than those of our neighbors. All these have led to higher costs of feeding, education, accommodation, transportation and health care.

“The Rule of Law is also under strain. Unfortunately, it is clear to all that the judiciary has never had it this bad in the country. The various cases from the elections and the sometimes conflicting and contradictory judgements from the tribunals and now the Appellate Court have made the average Nigerian feel that the judiciary is no longer the last hope for the common man.”

The coalition, however, demanded that governments at all levels, especially at the federal level, should cut its costs.

 “Our country is neck deep in debt and we are still borrowing. Unfortunately, our government is busy buying four wheel drives, renovating and still enjoying the same VIP privileges whilst it has told the people to tighten their belts”

They also urged the Central Bank  of Nigeria to use its monetary policy tools to gradually reduce interest rates, saying that some things must work in tandem to help begin to reduce inflation, interest rates and ultimately, unemployment.

Also in the demand includes that government must move to provide the enabling environment for business to thrive so that the youth can begin to get to work.

“The judiciary must immediately look inwards to correct the negative impression that Nigerians have about them. The NJC (National Judicial Council) must investigate all that occurred with the Tribunals and Court of Appeal in the Zamfara, Plateau cases and especially with the Kano State Gubernatorial Appeal Court decision.

“Even to us as youths in the South-south, it is glaringly clear that the contradictory nature of the lead judgement in the Kano appeal case is scandalous and is an indicator to what the people of Nigeria see about the judiciary. A couple of paragraphs and sentences cannot be defined as clerical error. Nigerians may keep quiet but we are not fools”. Coalition members who are mostly youths further warned the three arms of government at the federal level, especially the executive and Judicial arms to sit up and ensure the right things are done for the peace and development of the country.

They added: “We say this because the decisions of the courts in these   three volatile states (Kano, Plateau and Zamfara) constitute an existential security threat to the country. With the existing theatres that the military are bravely tied down to at the moment, we do not feel it is wise to open other chapters.”