Arewa group to NJC: Transfer election appeal cases in tension-prone states to FCT

A civil society organisation (CSO), Arewa Youths Alliance For Progress And Development, has called on the Nigerian Judicial Commission (NJC) to relocate pending election appeal cases as well as the appeal judges to Abuja in order to douse what it called observed post-election political tension in Kano, Delta and other states.

The group made the call at a press conference on Sunday in Abuja.

Umar Bala Babayaro, convener, Arewa Youths Alliance For Progress And Development, said the call had become necessary in order to avert possible breakdown of law and order prompted by agitations over post-election matters, particularly over election appeal cases.

Babayaro expressed optimism that the NJC will look seriously and favourably at its patriotic demand.

The group said: “Elections by their very nature are contentious and it seems reasonable to assume that a dedicated mechanism put in place to adjudicate election-related grievances and suspected violations could reduce incentives to engage in electoral violence.

“If electoral actors believe that irregularities can be fairly challenged in an impartial venue, they may be less likely to resort to violence to win.

“In situations where electoral actors believe that there are no viable venues to resolve problematic elections, political actors may be more likely to turn to intimidation, harassment, and physical attacks to win elections.

“The role of the judiciary hence, is to create and ensure a level playground for all political actors and this can be better achieved through an enabling environment where the tendencies of fair hearing and protection of both the Bar and the Bench’ are incontrovertible.

“On these grounds, we appeal to the National Judicial Council (NJC), the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the office of the President of the Court of Appeal, and the Office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria;

“To relocate to the Federal Capital Territory- Abuja, Election Appeal Hearings and cases in Delta State, Kano State and other states prone to political tension and violence.

“To relocate to the Federal Capital Territory- Abuja, Appeal Court Justices assigned with Election Tribunal Appeal Cases in Delta State, Kano State and other states prone to political tension and violence through-out the period of the hearing.

“To instruct all relevant Security Agencies to commence investigations on post-election tensions in the country.

“To ensure integrated security in premises of Appeal courts and during Election Appeal hearings in Abuja.

“We hope sincerely as a Civil Society Organisation, that if our concerns are addressed, the tenets of our nascent democracy would be better galvanized.”