The Concerned Citizens Forum of Nigeria (CCFN) on Tuesday held a protest with some activists in Abuja over the Appeal Court ruling that sacked elected members of the National Assembly from Plateau State.
In a letter to the United States Ambassador, the coalition said the rally was to draw the International community’s attention to the alleged threat to democracy and national security in the country.
The letter, which was read to journalists by the Executive Secretary of the coalition, Emmanuel Nicolas, alleged that the judiciary in Nigeria has been “eroded by politicians who had previously boasted about their influence on judges”.
According to the coalition, what is happening in Plateau State, where some lawmakers who were elected on February 25 were sacked by the appellate court, “is a rape of democracy and a threat to national security”.
“The Concerned Citizens Forum of Nigeria writes this letter to bring to the United States of America’s attention the threat to democracy and national security in Nigeria,” the letter reads.
“We are alarmed that with the recent happenings in some parts of Nigeria if urgent steps are not taken to arrest the situation, the country might erupt in crisis due to the brazen display by some politicians.
“It has also been observed that the independence of the Judiciary in Nigeria has been eroded by politicians who have openly boasted about their influence in the Judiciary. The recent events in Plateau state regarding the outcomes of the election petition tribunals are worrisome.
“The Ambassador may wish to know that there has been a well-orchestrated plan to use the Judiciary to truncate the wishes of the people of Plateau state in its choice of leaders in parliament and the state government.”
DAILY POST recalls that the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, in separate judgements on November 7, affirmed the nullification of the election of three members of the House of Representatives that emerged on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Plateau State.
On the same day, the appeal court nullified the election of Napoleon Bali as Senator representing the Plateau South. It declared the Minister of Labour, Simon Lalong, who contested under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, winner of the polls.
Plateau: Coalition, activists protest sack of lawmakers by Appeal Court