In a commendation of President Bola Tinubu’s neutrality, Senator Kabiru Marafa has praised his role in determining the outcome of the Supreme Court verdict on the 2023 governorship elections in Nigeria. Marafa hails Tinubu’s non-interference as a crucial factor in preventing a repeat of the events that transpired in 1983, which ultimately led to the collapse of Nigeria’s second republic.
Senator Marafa, who served as the Zamfara Coordinator of the Campaign Council of Tinubu/Shettima during the general elections, expresses his appreciation for the President’s impartiality in the face of mounting pressure from loyalists to intervene in the judicial process. By resisting such pressure, Tinubu has safeguarded the country’s democracy and restored hope in the judiciary.
Marafa emphasizes the significance of Tinubu’s actions, citing the historical context of the 1983 scenario when the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) seized control of states that were previously held by the opposition. It was this power shift that ultimately led to the collapse of the second republic.
“It is a welcome development. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has by this singular action of non-interference in the Supreme Court judgement saved the country’s democracy and forestalled the repeat of the 1983 scenario. You will recall that it was after the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) grabbed states that were hitherto of the opposition that the Second Republic collapsed,” he said.
The Senator further commends the Supreme Court judges for their unwavering commitment to upholding justice. He lauds their resolve to do the right thing, asserting that they have etched their names in gold through their actions.
“I protested the conduct of the kangaroo primaries and the imposition of candidates by the then Governor Abdulaziz Yari, the judiciary stood up to the occasion and delivered a landmark judgment that gave the whole state to the PDP opposition party.
“The Judiciary must be allowed to be just and fair no matter whose ox is gored, this is necessary if the political actors want democracy to endure in the country,” he said.
Marafa also recalls a landmark judgment delivered by the judiciary in Zamfara State, which granted victory to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after he protested the imposition of candidates during the 2019 governorship election primaries of his own party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Senator Marafa calls for the governors to exercise magnanimity, fairness, and justice in governing their respective states. He specifically extends his congratulations to Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal on his victory at the court. Marafa urges Lawal to collaborate with President Tinubu, Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, and relevant security agencies to restore peace and security in Zamfara State, emphasizing that peace is the primary aspiration of the people.
“I, hereby, call on the governor of our dear state, Zamfara State to collaborate with His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima and relevant security agencies to restore the much-needed peace and security in Zamfara State. Peace is what our people are yearning for and nothing more,” Marafa said.
