By Ibrahim Khaleel

The 2023 election litigations have been largely concluded except for gubernatorial cases still being adjudicated at the courts.

In the court of public opinion however, Many Nigerians have been left disappointed and dissatisfied by the performance of Inec as the electoral umpire while others have faulted the judicial process for failing to meet the spirit of the law and align with the yearnings and aspirations of voters leading to a growing call for urgent legislative and judicial reforms to address the gaps ahead of the next election cycle.

Many Nigerians believe there have been too many conflicting judgments that lead many to believe justice is being sacrificed at the altar of technicality or fallibility.

A case in point can be found in Adamawa where Hon Muhammed Salihu Abba Gerei recently lost his seat at the national assembly as a member representing Yola North, Yola South, Gerei federal constituency despite winning the election at the ballot and the tribunal.

The victory was however cut short by the court of appeal which happens to be the bus stop for national assembly election litigations.

Regardless of the quality of the verdict, that is the end of the story.
Constitutionally, the hierarchy of the litigations terminates at the court of appeal which is a function of laws and procedures that need to change in light of what many describe as a miscarriage of justice.

Despite the many precedents that have been set by several judgments at the Supreme Court, the court's appeal in its ruling on the matter appears to hold a different view.

This development although regrettable has compelled Mohammed Salihu to champion the cause of judicial reform in Nigeria to forestall future miscarriage of justice not because he lost his seat but because he is a true believer in democracy.

His call for judicial reform is anchored on the need for an amendment to allow the Supreme become the last hope of Litigants in federal elections.

A change that will help restore the faith of Nigerians in the judicial process.
Hon Mohammed Salihu wants the national assembly to swing into action and remedy the situation as soon as possible.

Nigeria’s democracy needs these reforms to survive and if justice must be served, politicians who lose at the polls must not be allowed to use the judiciary as a back door into office.

Alas! Court Verdicts that perverse the outcome of a free, fair, and credible election cannot be more important than the will of the people who have made their choice through the ballot.

The misinterpretation of the verdict of the court of appeal has been used to suggest that Hon Mohammed Salihu can no longer hold public office is only adding insult to injury because nothing can be further from the truth.

Ibrahim Khaleel writes from Jimeta
Yola North LGA-Adamawa