PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION TRIBUNAL JUDGMENT A BETRAYAL OF DEMOCRACY- CNPP ...IT IS A LANDMARK JUDGEMENT - ODEY

 Conference of Nigeria Political Parties {CNPP}, took a careful analysis of the judgment delivered today by the Presidential Election Tribunal and came with the inevitable conclusion that the learned justices had joined anti-democrats in betraying not only the basic tenets of democracy, but failed to serve the interest of justice.

 We were appalled to hear from the Justices that evidences provided by the petitioners were miniature and in fact that there were no shred of evidence. We disagree with this position, as for instance there were full of inconsistencies in the results submitted. There were inconsistencies of dates and duplication of results.

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For the avoidance of doubt, it is trite law that when inconsistencies abound in documentation, the only option left is to void the presentation. In this instance two conflicting results sheets duly certified by INEC tendered by the petitioners were neglected by the Tribunal.In one of the result sheets INEC awarded President Umaru Yaradua 24.6m votes and the second one 25.3m votes. Can there be two result sheets in an election?

Whereas the CNPP subscribes to due process of law and independent of the judiciary, however we are opposed to subversion of justice as is the case in this judgment, for when justice is subverted the aggrieved are compelled to resort to self help as witnessed in Kenya.

 We wish to note that this warped justice is antithetical to growth of democracy and only helps to support the Peoples Democratic Party {PDP}, a party that not only shies away from elections but has electoral phobia.

 This ungodly romance of the PDP with the Justices is very unhealthy, we pointed this out when the chairman of the Election Tribunal Justice James Ogebe was lured with nomination to the Supreme Court at this crucial point in time. We queried the timing.

 The electoral phobia of the PDP is the greatest threat to democracy in Nigeria, it therefore should not be encouraged by any patriot. Repeatedly it has been noted that sham judgment is a prelude to anarchy and consequently should be condemned.

 The judgment is a betrayal of democracy and cannot survive or be sustained in the Supreme Court.

 Finally we appeal to General Muhammadu Buhari and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to head to the Supreme Court, where with all the substantial evidence at their disposal we hope they will get justice.

Osita Okechukwu
 National Publicity Secretary
 CNPP

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 The Minister of Information and Communications, Mr John Odey has described yesterday ruling of the Presidential election tribunal as landmark judgment which further underscored the the fundamental belief of Nigerians in democracy and the rule of law.

 Mr Odey gave this reaction when he spoke with newsmen at the premises of the Election Tribunal shortly after the ruling.

 He said, "this is a landmark judgment. It has underscored  the fundamental belief of Nigerians in democracy and the rule of law. I urge all political parties to join hands with President Yar Adua to move this
nation forward.”