Nigerian Youths React to Court Ruling on Extension of FCT Officials' Tenure, Commend Minister
- A coalition of Nigerian youths have condemned the violent protests which took place across the Federal Capital Territory in the past week
- The leadership of the coalition also urged Nigerian youths resident in the FCT to desist from violence and remain law-abiding
- According to the coalition, some of the youth who went on the streets to protest do not understand the details of the court order extending the tenure of officials of the six area councils in the FCT
Youths across Nigeria have commended the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello, for actions taken in line with the court's ruling on the inauguration of officials of the FCT area councils.
The youths were led by Akoshile Mukhtar and Zaka Nehemiah, the convener and co-covener of the Coalition of Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Groups in FCT also condemned the restiveness that was witnessed across major communities in Nigeria's capital as a reaction to the court ruling.
Source: UGC
Recall that an FCT High Court had approved the extension of the officials' tenure by one year in accordance with the new Electoral Act.
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The Act in its provision stipulates a four-year term for area council chairmen and councillors in the FCT.
Also on Thursday, May 19, the FCT Administration announced the suspension of the inauguration, citing the ruling of an FCT High Court.
In his reaction, Bello said as law-abiding administration, the FCTA would abide by the ruling of the court.
However, in its reaction, the coalition said that after a thorough scrutiny of the position of some of the agitators, findings showed that the intent of the agitation was to distract the FCT Administration from governance.
The coalition at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, May 23, noted that the agitators were aimed at heating up the serene polity of the FCT to serve the selfish interest of some politicians from both the ruling and opposition parties.
Mukhtar said:
"The young people that were used to carry out the task have little or no knowledge about the issues that led to the controversies and the best ways to address them.
"The action was a threat to the sustenance of a fundamental principle of democracy anywhere in the world."
He added that it is against this background that the coalition is sounding a note of warning to all youths across the FCT to desist from acting on unverified information and school them on the background of the controversies around the suspension of the inauguration of the elected officials.
His words:
"Recall that on 25th of February, 2022 President Muhammadu Buhari assented to the Electoral Bill 2022 wherein, section 108 (sub-section 1) stated that “Area Council shall stand dissolved at the expiration of a period of four (4) years commencing from the date (a) Chairman took the oath of office; of (b) legislative arm of the Council was inaugurated, whichever is earlier.
"Without ambiguity and to the understanding of everyone, the implication of such development is that the new law would be effective from the administration of the Area Council Chairmen and Councillors elected on the 12th of February 2022."
"Surprisingly, a mischievous judgement of Suit FCT/HC/CV/910/2022 between Idris Nasiru & 4 others vs. Minister of FCT was secured or procured by Selfish Politicians affirming that the outgoing Area Council Chairmen and Councillors are entitled to four (4) years tenure of office and are to remain in office till 20th of May, 2022, thus, the FCT Administration firstly complied with the court judgement by suspending the inauguration of the new Chairmen that was hitherto scheduled for May 20, 2022 before approaching a higher court for vacation of judgement."
He added that for clarity of purpose, the coalition is also not pleased with the outcome of the court judgement and the repercussive effects it can cause, however, two wrong does not make a right.
Mukhtar further appealed to Nigerian youths in the FCT to remain law-abiding and be supportive of the constituted authority.
PDP moves against FCT LG chairmen, councillors, prepares for swearing-in of newly elected officials
The judiciary had been accused of working with the ruling All Progressives Congress to truncate Nigeria's democracy.
The allegation was made against the institution and the political party by the Peoples Democratic Party
According to the PDP, the judiciary worked with the APC to truncate Nigeria's democracy through a court judgement elongating the tenure of chairmen and councillors of the FCT area councils.
Group blasts minister for closing Dei-Dei market over okada riders, traders clash, accuses him of apartheid
The minister of the Federal Capital Territory had been under fire for closing the Dei-Dei Timber Market while commercial motorcyclists continue to operate after the incident that led to the killing of people and burning of shops.
HURIWA accused Mohammed Bello of being partial by closing the market while allowing the motorcyclists to continue operations despite being a party to the crisis on Wednesday, May 18.
According to HURIWA, the minister should either reopen the market and find a way to rebuild it or ban the operation of bike operators in the area.
Source: Legit.ng
