Political tensions in Rivers State are boiling once again, fueled by a new twist in the saga surrounding the defection of 27 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). A purported court order halting the removal of these lawmakers has surfaced online, casting further doubt on the judiciary’s credibility and raising concerns of political manipulation.
The alleged ruling, issued by Justice Donatus Okorowo, restrains the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP, and other concerned parties from taking any steps to remove the lawmakers from their seats. This comes mere days after the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) accused the APC of orchestrating a secret court application to secure a favorable ruling.
The timing of the purported order, coupled with its lack of signature and details on the plaintiffs, fuels suspicions of foul play. The document’s resemblance to CUPP’s earlier allegations further deepens the intrigue.
Adding to the chaos, the Centre for Africa Liberation and Socioeconomic Rights (CALSER) has warned of another potential hurdle: attempts by the lawmakers to thwart the conduct of by-elections. The group urges lower courts to resist manipulation and reject any legal challenges by the defectors.
Meanwhile, the incident comes on the heels of the Kano State governorship election petition controversy, where inconsistencies in a court document raised questions about judicial integrity. This recent episode in Rivers State only reinforces the perception of a crisis within the Nigerian judiciary, raising concerns about its ability to handle politically charged cases with impartiality.
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