The Nasarawa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has alleged a conspiracy between the state judiciary and the Governor Tanko Almakura-led All progressive Congress, APC, to deprive the people of their right to justice.
Briefing journalists in his office along Jos Road, Lafia, Yunana Iliya, the state chairman of PDP, said the judiciary, which is supposed to be the last hope of the common man, had become an instrument of oppression and coercion in the state.
He was reacting to the decision of the local election appeal tribunal to upturn the decision of a lower tribunal and give victory to the APC candidates in Keana and Keffi local government areas where PDP was earlier declared winner.
“It is quite disheartening to note that Governor Tanko, who claimed to be a democrat, and claimed to be elected on popular mandate of the people turned out to be enemy of democracy,” Mr. Iliya said.
He claimed that the PDP was robbed of its victory through a coerced judgment induced by the APC-led administration in the state.
Mr. Iliya said the PDP had expressed fear over the composition of the local government election petition tribunal that included card carrying members of the APC.
“The fear of the PDP over the composition of the appeal panel was confirmed on the 11th November, 2014 when Justice Aisha Ahmed rejected a court order from a competent court restraining her from delivering judgment,” he said.
“Aisha, an apostle of the law, disregarded the law and delivered a judgment. The rule of law is no longer a norm in judiciary set up in Nasarawa state.”
Mr. Iliya said that the PDP would ensure “misrule” ends by February 2015 when the people of the state would vote the governor and APC out of office.
When contacted the spokesperson of the state judiciary, Ali Maku, said he would not make any comment until he had studied the allegation and the judgment
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