My Nigeria…

Anenih Chides Buhari over Yar’Adua

From Sufuyan Ojeifo in Abuja, 10.04.2008

Former Chairman of the Board of Trustees, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih has asked the presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) to stop unnecessary posturing over his presidential election appeal before the Supreme Court.

He said he should no longer create the impression that he has a chance of winning the case at the apex court.
In a three-page statement entitled: “Buhari Does Not Need to Withdraw Case” in Abuja, Anenih challenged him to follow the legal process to the end since he has decided not to heed the wise counsel of Emirs who reportedly might have advised him to do so.
He said Buhari’s new claim that he could not withdraw his suit because six other political parties voted massively for him was another sad and alienating example of his (Buhari’s) politics of convenience.

According to him, “Isn’t it curious that the very party under which Buhari contested the presidential elections is urging him to discontinue his petition? His new claim that he could not withdraw his suit because six other political parties voted massively for him is another sad and alienating example of Buhari’s politics of convenience.”

He said: “It was, I believe, to diffuse political tension in the common interest of all that some traditional rulers and leaders from the northern parts of the country and the leadership of the ANPP, may have advised the presidential flagbearer of the party in the 2007 elections, General Buhari, to withdraw his appeal challenging the election of President Umaru Yar’Adua.
“Now, in needless posturing, General Buhari is reported to have said that he could not withdraw the appeal, explaining to whoever cares to listen, especially media reporters, why he would not withdraw the case. I say, categorically, that Buhari does not need to withdraw his case; he should follow the legal process to the very end.”

Anenih added: “First and foremost, Buhari’s almost obstinate refusal to yield to wise counsel, conveys the impression that he is either close to victory or has some chance of winning the case.
“That possibility cannot be predicted with any accuracy by anybody. Even President Yar’Adua himself cannot predict his victory at the apex court. The crucial facts of the 2007 presidential elections are clear and unambiguous: Yar’Adua scored 24,638,063 votes as against Buhari’s 6,605,299 votes.

“These figures, authenticated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), are before the Supreme Court, the highest organ of the judiciary, which has displayed fairness, maturity and a high sense of integrity in previous judgements.”
“The electoral appeal process is an integral component of democracy and it strengthens the dispensation of justice, equity and fairness. Buhari is entitled to the full benefits of the law and should not be dissuaded.

“President Yar’Adua is a fervent believer in the rule of law. He is happy that the petition against his election has gone as far as the Supreme Court. It would be a gross violation of the nation’s Constitution and provisions of the electoral laws for anybody to abort the process.”
According to him, “Buhari’s statement that Yar’Adua ‘had never called me; and he has never sent anybody to me to plead that I should withdraw the suit against him’ is, to say the least, an unwitting invitation to breach due process and induce unnecessary speculations.
“More important, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has absolute confidence in the judiciary and the principle of the separation of powers.”

He maintained that the interventions of the traditional rulers and elder statesmen were motivated by genuine and noble intentions, pointing out, however, that the legal process has gone beyond the point of return.

He said: “Buhari should complete the race, the prize of which he is unlikely to win. Regardless of the outcome, PDP will accept the decision of the Supreme Court in this matter.”