A prominent member of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Dr. Garus Gololo, has expressed strong disapproval of a recent statement made by Bode George regarding Nigeria’s general elections and their determination by competent courts of jurisdiction.
Bode George Questions Judicial Role in Election Outcome
Bode George, a leading figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had raised questions about the judiciary’s involvement in deciding election winners.
He wondered why the judiciary was pronouncing verdicts to determine election outcomes instead of instructing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct new elections when necessary, to ensure that the true winners emerge.
George vehemently opposed the idea of INEC relying on court processes to determine the results of Nigerian elections.
Gololo’s Strong Rebuttal
In response to Bode George’s remarks, Dr. Garus Gololo strongly defended the established electoral guidelines.
He viewed George’s choice of words as unpatriotic and contrary to the principles set out in these guidelines.
Gololo, while expressing deep respect for Bode George as a former military officer and politician, disagreed with him on this matter.
Embracing True Democracy and Avoiding National Crisis
Dr. Gololo expressed concern about the inconsistency of Nigerian politicians in their perspectives on electoral processes, often favoring different stances depending on whether their political parties are in power or in opposition.
He stressed the importance of unity and responsibility among elders in educating the younger generation to prevent actions that could lead to national crises.
Gololo emphasized that seeking legal redress through the competent courts, as outlined in electoral guidelines, is a legitimate avenue for aggrieved political parties.
A Call for Respect of Court Judgements
As a parting message, Gololo advised all political parties not to heed Bode George’s suggestion but instead to respect the judgments of the court, with the ultimate recourse being the Supreme Court.
He urged politicians not to preempt tribunal judgments and to await the outcomes before passing judgment or condemnation.
In this ongoing discourse, the contrasting viewpoints of these political figures reflect the broader debate surrounding the role of the judiciary in Nigeria’s electoral processes.