February 18

February 18

LETTERS PAGE 51

Still on Supreme Court judgment on Rivers election

Some Supreme Court decisions have caused great frustrations and confusion and produced much disarray in law enforcement and criminal justice procedures. The placed strained if not distorted constructions on the constitutions, over ruled long established judicial precedents, shock led law enforcement agents; and by dubiously invoking specious procedural technicalities and grossly exaggerating the legitimate virtues of civil liberties, much guilt confessed and confirmed criminals have been released on society.

In my opinion, which I am entitled to under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, the recent Supreme Court decision on the recent 2015 gubernatorial elections, especially, the case of Rivers State have done more harm than any other single thing to contribute to a general atmosphere to cause electoral crime to increase in this country. When electoral criminals and their accomplices know that they can commit electoral crimes and may not be apprehended, but if apprehended stand a good chance of being allowed to get off a mere technicality, it only encourages more electoral crime, vis-à-vis, ballot snatching/stuffing, kidnap of electoral umpire/officials, killing, ,maiming and arson etc. The ‘wise men’ of the Supreme Court choose to close their eyes on the magnitude of violence that marred the Rivers State gubernatorial elections, based on the reason(s) best known to them, only for them to come around and give us some childish un-assailable reasons.

No wonder, they say the law is an “ass”; it punishes the innocent, and sets the guilt free.

The Supreme Court judgment has further demonstrated, or rather affirmed the ‘supremacy’ of the Supreme Court. A situation where, election observers, both local and international including two Courts, Tribunal and Appeal, and other Nigerians alike are wrong, by saying the election was below standards by all ramifications. They still went ahead to deliver the judgment the way it suits them.

As a concerned Nigerian, my only fear is not the morning of the judgment, but the evening. In other words, anybody can contest an election, and decide to win by ‘hook and crook’, including displaying all arsenals within his reach, bearing in mind that if he goes to court, especially the ‘Supreme’ he will get justice, using the services of the best ‘learned’ intelligent and erudite senior advocates of Nigeria (SAN’s) that money can buy. What a pity!

Is no more news that the States of Rivers, Bayelsa, in the South/South region and Kogi in the North Central are prone to electoral violence/malpractice. And they are also den of cultist. Very recently, a group of cultist killed over 20 people, during clash with one of the rival group, in Omoku, near Porth Harcourt, in Rivers State.

Finally, the Apex Court is trying to legalize electoral violence and other related crimes through the back door by applying the so-called technicalities of law as usual. God save Nigerian/Nigerians from our judiciary. What a hope of the so-called common man indeed!

Lest I forget, I am not for or against Governor Wike or candidate Peterside, either PDP or APC. Far from that, but to ensure that our votes count in future elections in Nigeria. This time around the Apex Court did not get it right period! And they must accept our criticism in good faith.

U.S Ladan Snr, a Human Right activist, wrote from Jos, [email protected]

Re: Ribadu goes to hiding…

Ranging from Ribadu, whosoever, down to Sheriff, it would be a situation of a black kettle calling a pot black. PDP needs not only political revival, but it also needs a spiritual reinforcement to restore confidence of Nigerians to re-accept it as a political path-finder. Though, however, it is a Herculean task for Nigerians to put their eggs in one basket again; the sixteen years spent on the throne of power by the PDP might be described as a fruitless journey.

Jamilu A. Ibrahim, [email protected]

Food price hike: Is the story of 80s repeating itself?

The recent hike in the prices of food stuffs, which has affected thousands of families throughout Nigeria, has once again underscored the urgent need for governments to strengthen their safety net systems to ensure that the rise in the price of basic commodities does not trigger an increase starvation and national uproar. Presently in Nigeria, bread price has increased by more than 20 Percent. The bread that is sold at N200 before is now N300. Not just the bread alone, almost all the food stuffs have price hikes.

Peter Idowu Jiya, Lapai, Niger State. [email protected]

Re: Is there dirt behind the silk?

Jibril Ibrahim’s piece is beautiful. The truth is that the judiciary is one of the productions of the social system. What about the system? It was fixed by the ruling class to protect the ruling class from the wrath of the impoverished Nigerians. The fight against corruption and stealing in high places has opened the eyes of the people to the truth that the social system cannot protect their interests which Buhari has vowed to defend and protect at all costs. They now know their enemy.

Amos Ejimonye, 3 Gwari Road, Kaduna. 08039727512

Re: Nigerians should be patient with Buhari

My question is, how do you advice a hungry man to be patient with hunger? Don’t you know that a hungry man is an angry man? Buhari is trying but Nigerians should be paid their salaries when due because people must eat to survive, no matter what.

Mubarak Giwa, 07014618993

Re: Dear America, say no to Donald Dump

Whenever the name of Donald Dumb is mention I become tense and paranoid, because Adolf Hitler comes to mind. Oh God, this Donald Dumb with scary face, intimidating words is it that the end of the world is near!

Mohammed Bagudu, Minna, 08094975018