By Eche Nwaobasi
Dr Boniface Bartholomew Agbala, chairman, Idemili Local Government Leaders of Thought, a think-tank group formed to develop Idemili North and South that make up Idemili, weekend, described some of the Appeal Court judgements in the aftermath of the 2023 general elections as unfortunate and a big drawback to the nation’s quest to get our electoral process right.
He specifically referred to judgements of Zamfara, Kano and Plateau states’ guber elections.
Àgbàlá suggested restructuring of the country, convention of a constitutional conference, and adoption of parliamentary system of government as the way out.
According to him, the presidential system of government is expensive and prone to corruption.
Other measures he said that will rescue the country is the introduction of true federalism where all federating units will be independent while the centre is made less attractive.
Dr Agbala, who spoke to newsmen in Awka, noted that the implication of these judgments will make most electorate lose faith in the nation’s judiciary as well as giving credence to much held belief among Nigerian electorate that their votes do not count during elections.
He added that the judiciary must sit up to restore their image which is daily eroding among Nigerians.
Said he, “The implications of these judgments are questioning the integrity of our nation’s judiciary, making it look as if votes of Nigerian electorate don’t matter again. It is akin to removing the franchise from electorate and vesting it on the hand of one, two or more judges as may be the case.
“My brother it is unfortunate and a big drawback on our democracy.”
