Gov Sule, APC spinning tribunal ruling to whip up sentiments ahead of appeal – PDP alleges

The Peoples Democratic Party PDP, in Nasarawa State, has urged its members and supporters to ignore the frenzy and analysis by Governor Abdullahi Sule and his party, the APC in the media, asking them to adopt the principle of no comment.

This is contained in a statement signed by Ibrahim Hamza, the State PDP Publicity Secretary.

Hamza expressed concern over the conduct of Governor Sule, and the Nasarawa State APC in response to the tribunal ruling, alleging that the party is conducting media trials through TV campaigns, media appearances, press conferences, social media posts, and press releases, to discuss and analyze the tribunal’s judgment and its implications.

It also alleged that the APC has failed to desist from discussing matters pending before the courts and has instead chosen media platforms as its tribunal, a situation he said is tantamount to exhibiting subjudicial tendencies.

While acknowledging the right to public discourse, the PDP raised the need for respectful and responsible communication, as well as adherence to the principles of justice, fairness, and the rule of law.

The statement recalled a recent meeting with the State Director of the State Security Service (SSS), during which both the PDP and APC party chairmen were advised to guide their supporters against using offensive language and insults in their public statements.

The PDP claims that it has taken steps to moderate the expressions of its supporters and members in line with the advice, to maintain a respectful tone and to avoid overheating the state’s political environment.

The PDP, however, claims that Governor Sule, the APC, and associates have not followed this approach and have instead resorted to hurling insults,

”Moreover, these parties have discussed matters pending before the courts on various media platforms, potentially undermining the integrity of the legal proceedings, the statement alleged.

“It has come to our attention that the outgoing governor of Nasarawa State, AA Sule and his handlers have continued to spin the outcome of the tribunal ruling in the State Governorship Election to whip up judicial sentiments ahead of his appeal in court.

“Also, we have noticed that the Nasarawa State APC and some political appointees of AA Sule have scaled up media appearances on national television through the purchase of airtime, press conferences, posts on social media and press releases in an attempt to analyze and extrapolate the outcome of the judgment in order to arrive at a goal conceived in their minds and wishes.

“Let us remind them that at a recently held meeting with the State Director of SSS, the two-party chairmen- (PDP/APC) were advised to guide their supporters against the use of foul language and insults. Since then, our party, the PDP has been moderating the voices of its supporters and members by toning down our responses and replies in order not to overheat the state and its polity.

”While the PDP chose to respect admonition by the DSS, the now emerging opposition party APC, Engr. Sule and his minions have chosen to exhibit their frustrations by hurling insults instead of advancing logical and sound ideas in public discourse. They have failed so far to desist from discussing matters pending before the courts and have instead chosen media platforms as their tribunal tantamount to exhibiting subjudicial tendencies. Their new tactics come with insults as a full package, which has been added to it.

”In a democracy, the courts play a critical role in adjudicating legal disputes and ensuring that justice is served. Matters pending in court are subject to the rules and procedures of the legal system, which are designed to protect the rights of all parties involved and maintain the impartiality of that sacred estate which upholds that all are entitled to justice.
”Need we remind them that this practice not only negates the integrity of legal proceedings but also undermines the principles of justice and peace in an attempt to intimidate and cow the courts?