***Democracy, unity of Nasarawa may be at crossroads
From Daniel Abel, Lafia
Ahead of the supreme court judgement on Nasarawa Guber poll, residents on Wednesday expressed fear and apprehension saying that if miscarriage of justice is not averted, the negative consequences will be heightened insecurity.
They also warned that democracy, unity of the state would be at crossroads if the will of the masses is not upheld.
Some residents who spoke against the backdrop of the forthcoming supreme court judgement on Nasarawa Guber case agreed that there was growing fear in the state indicating that if the verdict of the Apex Court failed to meet the expectation of the masses, the fragile peace in the state might turn awry.
Our correspondent went round major towns and villages in the state to sample the mood of the people.
A residents in Karu, Mr Jonathan Abimiku noted that when a court gives judgement that is not in tandem with the democratic integrity and wishes of the masses, the consequences will leave the society with deep wounds that may result in insecurity and all forms of criminalities.
“When you set up a government procured on the strength of illegality, inducement and abuse of legal processes and on account of miscarriage of justice, the outcome will be insecurity, banditry, kidnapping which has become the practice”
On his part, a retired civil servant, Hajiya, Hassana Murina Ahmed advised the judiciary against delivering judgements that will generate controversy in electoral matters saying democratic processes will not only be threatened, but it will place the nation on disunity and on crossroads.
“There are states in the country where violence, youths restiveness is currently the order of the day because of court judgement”.
Hajiya Fatima Ahmed, in Obi local government appealed to the Supreme Court to take Nasarawa case by its merit, avoid technicalities and in line with the thinking of the masses of the state adding Nasarawa is already fragile in the area of insecurity
“We were already living in fear as a result of the heightened insecurity, much should be done to avert miscarriage of justice in the governorship supreme court judgement”.
“When you force the people against their interest, the result will be resistance. As the last hope of the common, I advice the supreme court to consider the devastating consequences of their decisions especially when it is overtly clear that a candidate won an election and technicalities are used to knock down the true winners to declare one who lost at the ballots”.
A security operative who spoke on account of anonimity confirmed that in Karu local government that there is tension everywhere ahead of the supreme court judgement between David Ombugadu and AA Sule, but advised the residents of the state to accept the outcome of the judgement in good faith and work together in the interest of peace.
“My brother let us be honest we all know the winner of the governorship election in Nasarawa state. But you know what has been happening in the state. I am afraid if that judgement does not favor the masses it won’t go well, I’m telling you this because I trust you will not mention my name.
The women for justice in the state had however pleaded with the supreme court to ensure justice for the people of Nasarawa State so that peace, unity and development would return to the state.
“We will continue in our peaceful protest in line with democratic principles until fair and just justice is delivered to the masses, unity of the state and irs development”