The Conference of Northern States Civil Society Networks, representing Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) across the 19 Northern states, has cautioned President Bola Tinubu against meddling in the pending Supreme Court rulings on election cases in Kano, Zamfara, and Plateau states.
There was outrage against the appeal court judgement that sacked governor Abba Yusuf of Kano and Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang of Plateau states, as well as ordering a rerun in Zamfara state.
During a press conference in Kano on Saturday, the group’s Chairman, Ibrahim Waiya, warned Tinubu against interfering in “manipulating the judicial processes in courts dealing with election cases in opposition states.”
Waiya said that any attempt to manipulate the Supreme Court’s decisions could disrupt Nigerian democracy. He stated that such actions “would not be forgiven by democratic communities worldwide and could potentially lead to chaos, heightened insecurity, and conflicts across the country.”
The group also urged the Nigerian Judicial Council (NJC) to adhere strictly to ethical standards and legal practices while serving as custodians of justice and the rule of law.
Expressing concern over the current state of the Nigerian judiciary, Waiya said the conflicting judgments from courts of the same jurisdiction, which has led to confusion and a loss of trust among citizens.
“The integrity and effectiveness of our legal system are crucial for maintaining public trust and upholding the rule of law,” he remarked. The Chairman called upon the Judicial Service Commission to institute necessary reforms to restore faith in the judiciary.
Regarding security issues, Waiya criticised the Tinubu-led government’s performance, particularly in the Northern region. Despite new service chiefs’ appointments and substantial investments in the security sector, the expected level of security for citizens’ lives and properties has not been achieved.
He noted the prevailing insecurity, including killings, child trafficking, banditry, and community displacements, mainly in Northern states like Katsina, Plateau, Sokoto, Niger, Kaduna, and Zamfara. This insecurity, he stated, has instilled fear, hopelessness, and uncertainty among citizens.
Acknowledging some governors’ efforts in addressing security challenges, Waiya called upon President Tinubu to hold himself and the security agencies accountable. He suggested the development of key performance indicators (KPIs) within six months to assess the security agencies’ effectiveness.
Furthermore, Waiya urged the National Security Adviser to coordinate the synergy between service chiefs for optimal security efforts.