ASSOCIATION OF IGBO TOWN UNIONS (ASETU)
Press Release!
Igbo Town Unions Reacts to Supreme Court Rulling on Presidential Election Petition
Thursday 26th October 2023, has* gone into the anals of Nigeria history as a day the Supreme Court finally settled the most contentious presidential election in the history of our nation.
Although the ruling has been delivered by the highest court in the land thereby bringing the legal tussle to an end, but we must bear in mind that the outcome of this rulling will have grievous impact in the confidence reposed in our nation’s electoral and judicial systems for a long time.
One thing these ruling has done is to vindicate Igbo Town Unions (ASETU), other groups and individuals who have consistently cried out against the obnoxious act of marginalization of Ndigbo in Nigeria. The heinous act has clearly reach a dangerous level of alienation.
My Lord Hon. Justice Musa Dattijo Mohammed of the Supreme Court, fearless and outspoken jurist, used the occasion of his retirement valedictory session to iterate the vexed issue of marginalizing the people of South East geo-political zone, even in the composition of Supreme Court Judges.
The Hon Justice, made it clear that the composition of Supreme Court Judges for the Presidential Panel that heard the presidential election petition appeal was skewed against the South East Zone
He said, ” to ensure justice and transparency in presidential appeals from the lower court, all geo-political zones are required to participate in the hearing”.
He noted that, ” with the passing of my Lord Hon. Justice Chima Centus Nweze, JSC on 29th July 2023, the South East no longer has any presence at the Supreme Court. My Lord Hon. Justice Sylvester Nwali Ngwuta JSC. died on 7th March 2022, there has not been any appointments in his stead for the South East”.
” It is evident that the decision not to fill the vacancy in the court is deliberate…”. The jurist pointed out that it is dangerous for democracy and equity for any region to be left out in a decision that will affect Nigeria.
Let it be made clear that my Lord Hon. Justice Mohammed Dattijo, has again raised the lingering issue of marginalizing of Ndigbo of the South East zone to public dis course.
The deliberate imbalance in the composition of the arbiters of the of the presidential election petition, which could be interpreted to mean undermining the interest of a particular geo-political zone calls for serious question and reflection.
We, the members of ASETU, as we have always done, will continue to pursue justice, fairness, balance and full integration of the Igbo nation in the scheme of things in Nigeria- our nation of collective ownership.
Thank you.
Chief Sir Emeka Diwe
National President, Association of Igbo Town Unions (ASETU).
NIGERIA NEWSPOINT
