PDP Raises The Alarm Over Plot By SSS To Hijack Rivers, Others Tribunal Judgment

Olisa-MetuhThe Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has again raised the alarm over alleged plot by officials of the State Security Services (SSS) in Rivers to hijack the election petition tribunal judgment in the state.

The party said it has incontrovertible evidences to prove its claim, adding that similar plots are in the pipeline to influence the tribunal judges in some of the PDP controlled states.

The governing All Progressives Congress (APC) is challenging the victory of PDP candidates in Rivers, Taraba, Delta, Akwa Ibom and Abia States at the governorship elections tribunal of these states.

Briefing reporters last night in Abuja, PDP national publicity secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmoud Mohammed, to intervene to ensure that the judiciary remains independent of the executive and the legislative arms of government.

The opposition party said the CJN should also ensure that any judgment delivered by the tribunals reflect the true state of affairs, adding that it was time the SSS quit political engagements to face squarely, security problems in the country.

“The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party wants to brief the entire Nigeria of a plot by the State Security Services to hijack the judgment of gubernatorial elections in certain states, especially PDP states in Nigeria. The SSS has summoned tribunal judges to dictate what the judgment of the tribunal should be.

“Most specifically, yesterday (Friday), one of the ministerial nominees went to the SSS and insisted that they should summon the tribunal judges to influence the judgment in that state.

“Furthermore, in the case of Rivers State, we have it on good record with complete evidence that the SSS has interfered by summoning the judges, the tribunal members and tribunal to dictate the outcome of the tribunal.

“We informed the Chief Justice of Nigerian of what is happening and that it is incumbent upon the CJN to defend the independence of the judiciary. The judiciary is not an arm of the State Security Service. The time has come for the judiciary to maintain their independence.

“We want to alert the entire nation that this effort by the SSS to interfere with tribunal judgments is unknown to security service practice, either in this country or anywhere in the world. The State Security Services are concerned with homeland security, protecting us from insurgency but not when it comes to political tussle and cases”, the PDP said.

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