By Olusegun Olanrewaju
As more Nigerians protest the overturning of voters’ decisions at polling units in the March 18 governorship elections in Kano and other states where opposition parties won, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has cautioned leaders on the dangers that come with political injustice.
Obasanjo said that three to five judges should not overturn the decisions made by millions of voters during an election.
Only last week, three governors of opposition parties were sacked in separate judgements delivered by the judges of the Court of Appeal.
The affected governors are, Abba Kabir Yusuf in Kano, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State.
Recall that the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has upheld the judgement of the election tribunal which nullified the election of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, a decision described by Nigerians as gross injustice and a threat to democracy in Kano and Nigeria.
According to the ex-president, the ‘cathedral pronouncements’ made by the judges of the appellate court are ‘totally unacceptable’.
He suggested that Nigerians should find a way to handle the powers vested in the hands of a few judges.
READ ALSO:Wike presents N61bn supplementary budget to NASS
Obasanjo spoke at the high-level consultation on ‘Rethinking Western Liberal Democracy in Africa’ in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
“I believe whatever form of democracy we have or whatever system of government we have, three or four men in the judiciary should not be able to overturn the decisions of millions that have voted.
“Now, we have to find a way to handle that. I don’t know what the way will be but, for me, I think it’s totally unacceptable that millions (of votes), maybe 10 million on one side, maybe nine million on the other side.
“Then, you have five people sitting down, three of them agree, and two disagree. And you come up and make cathedral pronouncements that cannot be changed, I believe that should not be accepted.”
Similarly, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), also called on the Supreme Court to review the decision of the lower court on the Kano State governorship election, noting that it’s injustice to punish millions of Kano voters for an offense of the electoral the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Already, the courageous Governor Yusuf has decided to approach the highest court in the land to reclaim his victory after the miscarriage of justice at the Election Tribunal and Court of Appeal, urging his enraged supporters and Kano masses to remain hopeful and peace-loving people in the face of the ongoing trial.
*Kano residents abandon businesses, hail sacked governor
In a remarkable show of solidarity, residents of Kano have swarmed the streets to express unwavering support for the ousted Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
A viral video captured a fervent crowd accompanying a coaster bus, believed to be carrying the former governor, as it arrived at the Accident and Emergency section of the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital.
Chanting “Abba, Abba, Abba” passionately, the crowd energetically waved and cheered, exhibiting their staunch backing for Kabir amidst recent political upheaval.
The governor, who was in the company of his deputy, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, and other government officials, acknowledged greetings from traders at the Kantin Kwari market who abandoned their businesses to show their loyalty.
Right from State Road, Kanti-Kwari, to the Emir of Kano palace, people were seen trooping out like bees and struggling to catch a glimpse of the governor.
The crowd accompanied the governor back to the government house, where he addressed them.
Addressing the mammoth crowd, Governor Yusuf assured the people of the state that the appeal court judgment would not deter the government as he would continue to implement projects that had a direct bearing on the people’s lives.
