Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, says the judiciary, the security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be held responsible if democracy fails in Nigeria.
Wike explained that there were already enabling relevant laws that should safeguard democracy, especially the conduct of the 2023 general elections.
Speaking while swearing in five Rivers State High Court judges and two Customary Court of Appeal judges, the governor said it was incumbent on those agencies to do their duties by not succumbing to pressure from politicians in defence of the law.
“I urge you to be firm particularly, this critical period when we are entering a transition period. I believe that the legislature has done its own part by making the relevant laws in order to lead us. No law is permanent, no law is so perfect.
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“As time goes on there will be amendments based on existing realities. But now, it is the duty of the judiciary, security agencies, and INEC to save this country. If this country collapses in this transition period, they should hold the judiciary, security agencies and INEC responsible,” he said.
Wike stated that INEC had all it required to conduct a free, fair and credible election with the security agencies having such capacity to ensure that the process was hitch free.
The governor expressed concerns about judges giving conflicting interpretations and security agencies putting up flimsy excuses on enforcement of the law.
“If INEC wants to conduct a free and fair election, that they can do. If the security agencies want, there will be peace. And if the judiciary wants the law to be interpreted the way it is, that it can do. When that is done, people will be happy; people will have confidence that we are getting it right,” he added.
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