Former NBA President Criticizes Nigerian Courts for Undermining Voters' Power
Nigerian courts have come under fire from former NBA president, Afam Osigwe, who claims that politicians are increasingly relying on tribunals to secure election victories rather than relying on the will of the people through voting.
Osigwe, who served as the president of the Nigerian Basketball Association (NBA) from 2012 to 2016, expressed his concerns in an article published on PunchNG. He argued that the courts' involvement in election matters has eroded the democratic process and undermined the citizens' ability to choose their leaders.
Osigwe cited a recent case where a court ruling overturned the election results in Rivers State, leading to a rerun, as an example of the courts' growing influence in determining election outcomes. He warned that this trend could lead to a situation where politicians rely on courts to win elections rather than engaging with voters.
The former NBA president urged the Nigerian government and judiciary to ensure that the courts remain impartial and do not interfere with the democratic process. He emphasized the importance of protecting the sanctity of elections and the voices of the people.
Osigwe's concerns come amidst increasing instances of court challenges to election results in Nigeria. In 2019, the Supreme Court annulled the election of the governor of Rivers State, leading to a rerun, while in 2021, the court annulled the election of the governor of Bauchi State, resulting in a fresh poll.
The article can be found on PunchNG, where Afam Osigwe discusses the implications of this trend on Nigeria's democratic process and the importance of upholding the sanctity of elections.
Afam Osigwe Warns of Dangerous Trend in Nigerian Politics
- Nigerian courts' increasing involvement in election matters has led ex-NBA president Afam Osigwe to warn of a dangerous trend in the country's politics.
- Osigwe cites instances of court annulments in Rivers and Bauchi states as evidence of the trend.
- He calls for the judiciary to maintain impartiality and avoid interfering with the democratic process.
<small>Source: Punch Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>