***Tasks panel to decide electoral matters without bias
Acting
Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Muhammad, has urged chairmen and
members of election petition tribunals that would handle cases emanating
from the 2019 general elections to be guided by the rule of law and not
sentiments.
Muhammad, who made the appeal yesterday at the
swearing-in ceremony of 17 chairmen and members of the panel, stated
that judicious adjudication of electoral matters goes a long way in
determining peace in the country.
The
Acting CJN, who was assisted by SEVEN [7] other justices of the Supreme
Court to administer the oath of office on the panelists, noted
that the task before the panel was an onerous one that would impact
heavily on the judiciary and nation such that they could not afford to
fail.
His words: “It is the general belief that elections
held when the rule of law is fragile, seldom lead to lasting democratic
governance. You are enjoined to always strike a balance between justice
and rule of law, as you embark on this critical national assignment.
“As
you all know, the rule of law delayed is lasting peace denied because
justice is a handmaiden of true peace. We need this in Nigeria more than
ever before. The trumpet must first sound from the temple of justice;
hence we put you forward as champions of this noble cause.
“By
virtue of this oath, you are now armed with the power to adjudicate on
electoral disputes and take decisions in accordance with your
convictions, which must be deeply rooted in law and not sentiments or
public opinion.”
Muhammad, therefore, charged them to submit
themselves to the sanctity of rule of law and constitutional supremacy
in the discharge of their judicial functions, adding that their
participation in the tribunals was not by accident but God’s design.
However,
the Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Rev. Justin Welby, yesterday assured
Nigerians of prayers from other countries of the world towards a
peaceful and fair election.
Source:- Guardianng
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