Phrank Shaibu, Special Assistant on Public Communication to PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, has accused former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde of constantly monitoring judges as the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal winds down.
Shaibu said that Wike and Makinde both travelled to Plateau State to attend a memorial service organised by the President of the Appeal Court, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, despite not being invited.
He stated that the ceremony was supposed to be solemn, “but our busybody interlopers polluted the event with their shameful appearance.”
In a statement he signed, Atiku’s assistant said Wike had been cosying up to judges and offering them presents under the pretence of welfare.
He contended that Wike’s most recent appearance at an event given by the Appeal Court President was yet another subterfuge to influence the appellate court from which the current tribunal judges are drawn.
Shaibu pointed out that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, made a Freudian mistake a few months ago when he said he was pleased that Governor Makinde was a member of the G5.
“Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State was invited for the programme, but Wike and Makinde were gatecrashers at that event,” he claimed. The explanation is not far-fetched. They have continued to court judges in order to please their boss.
“Unfortunately, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ariwoola, has also failed to live above suspicion.” He was visited Rivers State before of the election and expressed satisfaction that Governor Makinde was a member of G5. The CJN was then the special guest of Governor Makinde during the commissioning of the Oyo Governor’s lodge in Abuja on May 25.
“Today, there are rumours that the next attorney-general will be a CJN kin as part of efforts to sway the outcome of the election petition tribunal.” While this has not been demonstrated, the CJN has placed himself in a situation where his integrity is frequently called into doubt.”
