A Non-Political group known as Delta State Assembly Of Youths Leaders,DSAYL has appealed to Nigeria Judicial Commission, NJC to relocate all election Tribunal Appeal Hearings in Delta State to the Federal Capital Territory , Abuja .
The group made the appeal in a statement by its Secretary Mr Dudun Oritsegbemi And Public Relation officer Mr Orherime Bapka during a press briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ Warri correspondent chapel , warri south local Government area of Delta state .
According to the group the appeal became necessary to advert possible breakdown of law and order in Delta State following the recent Election Tribunal judgement .
The group disclosed that they have uncovered a new trend in post-election intrigues which bothers political tensions in the country’s nascent democracy.
According to the group the General elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) gave birth to several electoral litigations by the candidates across boards.
They added that Post-election litigations in Nigeria have become as constant as the Northern star which verily questions the integrity of the Nations electoral umpires which is not supposed to be so.
According to the group statement “Nevertheless, today, we are not here to talk about the free and fairness of our elections, but to point out an issue that should be handled swiftly and careful by the government of Nigeria to avert unnecessary agitations that may lead to breakdown of law and order
While some political pundits are jubilating, some are sad and angry in view of the verdicts”
The group said Elections and post-election violence is nothing new in Delta State. “Delta State produces approximately 40 percent of Nigeria’s oil. According to Nigeria’s 1999 constitution, 13 percent of federal revenue from natural resources is returned to the state from which it came, on a “derivation” basis” it stated
Delta State Assembly of Youth leaders noted that
Delta State is thus the richest state in the Nigerian federation, and control of its government structures is a major prize both for the individuals and the political parties concerned.
The group also stated that “Historically, among the main causes of the 2003 fighting in Delta State (as in 1999) have been disputes over the manner in which state and federal elections would be run, and the lack of confidence in the institutions responsible for resolving those disputes and ensuring the vote would be free and fair.
What we do not want as a group in the State, is aggrieved persons high jacking the peace and tranquility currently being enjoyed in Delta State as there seems to be growing tension in the camp of those who lost to their opponents at the various tribunals.
“It is on this note that the DELTA STATE ASSEMBLY OF YOUTH LEADERS (DSAYL), is calling on the Nigerian Judicial Commission (NJC) to relocate all Election Tribunal Appeal Hearings in Delta State to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja” it added .
According to the Group, the political tension is not only in Delta State but can be sensed in some states across the country.” We believe as a group that our Justices must be protected at all cost and the sanctity of the judiciary must be upheld at all times”.
Furthermore, we call on politicians who have lost at the tribunals to prepare for the next round of elections, rather than inflaming passions.
“We look forward to the kind and swift response of the NJC’s leadership in order to avert unnecessary agitations that may degenerate to breakdown of law and order in the State” the group stated .
