- ‘It’s purely a legal matter’
- Victorious governors hail Tinubu’s non-interference
There was no trade-off with the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over Friday’s Supreme Court verdict which reversed the sack of Governors Abba Yusuf (Kano) and Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), the All Progressives Congress (APC) said yesterday.
The party said what played out at the weekend was purely a legal matter, which was decided by the highest court.
Its Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, said the party believes in the rule of law, adding that it bowed to the decisions of the apex court.
Governors whose victories at the March 18, 2023 elections were upheld applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for non-interference in the judicial system.
They also praised the President for fostering unity and stability, stressing that he has maintained a non-partisan disposition as father of all.
According to the governors, President Tinubu has rekindled hope in the electoral and judicial systems and reaffirmed the role of the opposition in democracy.
Apart from Yusuf and Mutfwang, six other governors savoured the joy of victory.
These are Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Alex Otti (Abia), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Bassey Otu (Cross River) and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos).
Duru denied insinuations of a deal between the APC and NNPP, saying they are baseless.
He said: “The judiciary spoke and that is why we have the various tiers of the judiciary.
“You have the trial courts and then, you have the Court of Appeal.
“Thereafter, you have the Supreme Court and that is not in any way to denigrate the understanding of the learned justices who were at the various levels of adjudication systems.
“The trial court appreciated and pronounced the fact as they understood it and the same thing happened when they went to the Court of Appeal.
“Those in the final court saw it differently and of course, pronounced judgment based on the facts that were before them.
“So, it does not in any way denigrate one section of the judiciary against the other and it is in the wisdom of our founding fathers that we have these various layers of adjudication process; that first, if you err at the trial court, then, those at the higher courts may look at it and find a different understanding.”
Duru added: “I did not see any politics in it. I did not also see any arrangement based on that. What did happen was that at the trial court, they understood the facts differently.
“At the Court of Appeal, they also understood it, but more importantly, at the Supreme Court, which is the final arbiter in the judicial process, a different understanding was given to it and a pronouncement was made accordingly.
“Law is what it is. Law is based on law and then on facts.
“We should applaud our judiciary for again rising to the occasion and espousing the law in a way that Nigerians are confident that you can take your differences and grievances to an impartial arbiter and there will be justice dispensed in a way that is satisfactory to all parties involved.
“It is also commendable in a way that it did also suggest that even if there is the suspicion of interference in the arm of government, Friday’s ruling and exposition on the part of the judiciary also did show that they are essentially independent.”
Mohammed hails Tinubu for non-interference
Senator Mohammed, who acknowledged that the litigation constituted a distraction, lauded the President for allowing the judiciary to operate independently in an atmosphere of separation of powers.
The governor, who addressed a large crowd of supporters who stormed the Government House in Bauchi to congratulate him, described his victory as the triumph of the people’s wish.
He waved the olive branch, urging his opponents to team up with him to develop the state.
A group loyal to the governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed Vanguard (BAM-V), called for unity.
Its Director-General, Comrade Mohammed Abubakar Jibo, said in a statement that the coast was now clear for governance.
President has demonstrated courage, says Yusuf
Yusuf hailed President Tinubu for demonstrating courage and resisting the temptation to influence the Supreme Court judgment.
He extended a hand of fellowship to his rival, Nosiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Yusuf said in a statement by his Director-General of Media and Publicity, Mr Bature Dawakin-Tofa, that the victory was for the people of Kano.
He said: “As a true democrat and progressive, I call upon my opponents and their supporters to join me to develop our beloved state of Kano for the betterment of its citizens.”
THE NATION
