Imo Election: (Naijanewsngr) – The Labour Party (LP) in Imo State has rejected the result of the governorship election held on Saturday, November 11, 2023, and vowed to challenge it in court.

The party’s candidate, Athan Achonu, who addressed journalists on Sunday, said the election was a sham and a rape of democracy.

No Election, No Accreditation, No Security

Mr Achonu, who spoke at his Umulomo country home in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of the state, said there was no election in the state on Saturday.

He said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to conduct a free, fair and credible election, as it had promised.

“There was no election yesterday, and we call on the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to cancel the purported results,” Mr Achonu said.

He alleged that the election was marred by irregularities, including vote buying and physical assaults of LP agents, and thus deserving of outright cancellation.

The candidate alleged that voting in many locations was done without the biometric voter authentication system (BVAS) accreditation, contrary to the assurances by INEC before the election.

He said this compromised the integrity of the election and violated the electoral guidelines.

Mr Achonu also alleged compromise on the part of security personnel, adding that “recorded evidence abound, such as that of a police officer who was beaten by voters for attempting to snatch a ballot box”.

“Our democracy was raped in the full glare of security personnel, whose salaries we pay from our commonwealth,” he said.

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Collation Hijacked by APC, LP Chairman Assaulted

Mr Achonu further alleged that the collation of results was hijacked by the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party in the state.

Athan Achonu said the collation was suddenly moved from the ward to the local government centres, and only APC agents were allowed to enter, while agents of other parties were locked out.

He said this was a deliberate attempt to manipulate the results in favour of the APC candidate, Hope Uzodinma, who was declared the winner of the election by INEC.

“I have not lost hope in the judiciary; there are so many men of integrity therein, and we shall reclaim our mandate,” Mr Achonu said.

He condemned the assault and detention of the LP chairman in Imo, Callistus Ihejiagwa, at the state collation centre, and called for the immediate arrest of those who manhandled him.

“My party chairman was beaten up at the collation centre, as it is evident in a widely circulated video, and instead of arresting those who beat him, the police arrested and detained him.

“Let’s save the drift into anarchy, let’s save our country and her democracy,” he said.

Naijanews – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have issued a notice of a nationwide strike on November 8, 2023, to protest the assault, abduction and battering of NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and other labour leaders by suspected agents of the Imo State government and security operatives.

The labour unions made this announcement at a press briefing on Friday, where they presented a six-point demand to the Federal Government, which includes the immediate removal of the Commissioner of Police, Imo State and the Area Commander, as well as other officials who were allegedly involved in the brutalisation and humiliation of Comrade Ajaero and his colleagues.

What Happened to the NLC President and Other Labour Leaders?

According to reports, the incident occurred on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, when the NLC President, along with other national leaders of NLC and TUC, arrived at the NLC State Secretariat in Owerri to commence a scheduled protest over pending labour issues in the state.

Some of the issues that the labour unions wanted to address were the backlog of unpaid salaries and allowances, pensions, gratuities, and non-compliance with the National Minimum Wage Act by the Imo State government.

However, as soon as they gathered at the secretariat, they were attacked by a group of thugs and security personnel, who smashed their vehicles, inflicted injuries on them and dispossessed them of their handsets, money, ATM cards and other valuables.

The NLC President, Comrade Ajaero, was reportedly abducted and taken to an unknown location, where he was beaten and tortured. He was later released after the intervention of some senior police officers and civil society groups.

How Did the Labour Unions and the Public React to the Attack?

The attack, brutalisation and battering of the NLC President and other labour leaders have sparked outrage and condemnation across the country, as well as from international organisations and human rights groups.

The labour unions have described the attack as an act of barbarism, intimidation and violation of the fundamental rights of workers and citizens to peaceful protest and expression.

They have also accused the Imo State government and the police of being behind the attack, and have demanded that the perpetrators be brought to justice.

The labour unions have vowed to mobilise their members and allies for a nationwide strike on November 8, 2023, if the Federal Government fails to meet their demands and ensure the safety and dignity of workers in the country.

They have also called on the public to join them in solidarity and resist any attempt to suppress the voice of the workers and the people.

Naijanews – In a farewell ceremony held in Abuja, retiring Justice Muhammad Dattijo delivered a poignant critique of Nigeria Supreme Court, shedding light on the pervasive bribery and perversion of justice that has tarnished the institution’s reputation.

His remarks echoed those of former Justice Oludotun Adefope-Okojie, who retired earlier this year, further highlighting the deep-rooted corruption within the upper echelons of the Nigerian judiciary.

As public anger intensifies, questions arise about the court’s ability to deliver impartial justice and protect the nation from collapse.

The Judiciary’s Descent from Grace

Justice Dattijo expressed his concern over the judiciary’s descent from grace, questioning whether the esteemed title of “Honourable Justice” still holds meaning.

He lamented the denigration of the Apex Court, which has been labeled a group of purchasable judicial bandits by a prominent social commentator.

This alarming state of affairs raises crucial questions about how the judiciary reached this point and why the public fears unpredictable judicial pronouncements.

Urgent introspection and a comprehensive overhaul are necessary to restore public confidence.

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The Supreme Court’s Controversial Decision

The Supreme Court’s recent decision to allow President Bola Tinubu to remain in office despite his violation of the Constitution has further fueled public criticism.

President Tinubu presented a forged academic document to the Independent National Electoral Commission, a clear contravention of Section 137 (1)(j) of the 1999 Constitution.

Despite overwhelming evidence, the court sidestepped the forgery issue, claiming that the evidence was presented too late.

This decision, seen by many as evidence of capture, has raised serious doubts about the court’s commitment to upholding the rule of law.

Concerns about Judicial Integrity

Justice Dattijo’s remarks also shed light on concerns surrounding the integrity of judges and justices.

He questioned the increasing trend of children and spouses of judicial officers joining the bench, raising doubts about nepotism and potential conflicts of interest.

Chief Justice Kayode Ariwoola, who was present at the event, faced criticism when his colleague highlighted his son’s induction into the Nigerian judiciary and his suspicious trip to meet President Tinubu in London.

These incidents, coupled with the chief justice’s previous expressions of disdain for public opinion and alleged partisan statements, further erode public trust in the judiciary.

All You Need To Know

Justice Dattijo’s scathing critique of Nigeria’s Supreme Court exposes a deeply troubling reality of corruption and a loss of public trust.

The judiciary’s descent from grace, coupled with controversial decisions and concerns about judicial integrity, demands immediate attention and reform.

As Nigerians intensify their criticism, it is crucial for the judiciary to restore its credibility, uphold the rule of law, and regain the confidence of the Nigerian people.

Only through a comprehensive rethink and hard reset can the Supreme Court reclaim its rightful place as the guardian of justice in Nigeria.