Date: 2016-03-28

The All Progressives Congress, APC, Kwara State chapter has raised alarm that ?desperate politicians have hijacked the Code of Conduct Tribunal, warning that the judiciary may throw the country into needless chaos and pandemonium.

In a statement issued in Ilorin by its Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Sulyman Buhari, the party said the President should not be seen to be watching helplessly when politicians hijack a crucial arm of the government to carry out political vendetta against perceived political adversaries.

The text of the statement is given below

For anyone who ever doubted our position that the trial of the Senate President is not an anti-corruption drive but political persecution and witch-hunt, ?the ruling of the Tribunal on Thursday i?s the clearest signal that what the Senate President is going through is nothing but political persecution at the Tribunal. It also shows that the CCT is being manipulated and remote-controlled by some desperate politicians.

Like the c?ounsel to the Senate President rightly noted, we are convinced that the right thing has not been done as far as the charges are concerned. It is now clear and glaring that due process has not been followed and the CCB has broken its own laws.

?Given identical cases, Nigerians should note that the CCT under Justice Umar Danladi discharged and acquitted a leader of APC in 2011 based on Section 3 (d) of the CCB/CCT Act. Why is the Senate President's motion on the same Section 3 (d) of the CCB/CCT Act being denied by the same tribunal under the same Judge?

?In carrying out its hatchet agenda, the tribunal didn't mind the implications of turning the law and its own precedent upside down. Anyone who watch the proceedings of the tribunal meticulously on Thursday would be convinced the tribunal has an hidden agenda and pre-determined conclusion. Therefore, ?we have lost hope in the CCT and its judges as presently constituted. ?

Also, we are concerned about the continued intimidation of Judges by media blackmailers reportedly sponsored by agencies of government and politicians. Not once, not twice, Judges have been intimidated to either abscond with judgement or to withdraw from the cases involving the Senate President. This is sheer injustice. If the Chairman of the National Assembly can be treated in such way in this country, what is the fate of the masses?

?The Chief Justice of Nigeria should note the rascality of judicial officers and these clear inconsistencies.

Judgement is not suppose to be ?based on personal opinions and political vendetta. It should be about the law. And the law is the law. The CCT has been hijacked by politicians and we are concerned that the judiciary is about to ?throw our beloved country into avoidable chaos and pandemonium. The CJN should show leadership as it appears politicians have usurped his functions and powers.

The silence of the leadership of our party is no longer golden. In the first instance, the travails of the Senate President was initiated by the bad losers in our party. The APC leadership should note that the Senate President has deployed his powers and influence to protect and promote the interests of the party and the agenda of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration. It is time for the party to intervene and take position on the ongoing trial.

Conclusively, the President has a country to run. He should not be seen to be watching helplessly when politicians hijack a crucial arm of the government to carry out political vendetta against perceived political adversaries. Mr President, take charge.