The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has warned the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in Ogun State to steer clear of its internal affairs.
National Publicity Secretary of NNPP, Yakubu Shendam, made the claims in Abuja, during a briefing, and called on the state governor to refrain from undue interference in the Ogun State judiciary and to focus on the governance tasks he was elected for.
NNPP also highlighted the importance of an independent judiciary, as outlined in the Nigerian Constitution, and urged the judiciary in Ogun State to maintain its historical integrity and dispense justice without fear or favor.
He said: “We are here to address the issues surrounding controversial activities carried out by the APC-led government in Ogun State to discredit our party and interfere in internal matters affecting the NNPP in Ogun State.
“Categorically, we want to state that the Ogun State Government should completely stay clear of the issues concerning our party because these are internal party matters.”
He noted that, last year, the party expelled its former Chairman in Ogun State, Comrade Sunday Olaposi Ogini, and promptly reported the expulsion to relevant authorities such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies including the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).
He added, “The NNPP in all ramifications is a party that believes in the rule of law. It is an open secret in the Ogun State Ministry of Justice that the Governor, Dapo Abiodun is interested in the matter.
“Therefore, we are using this medium to advise Governor Dapo Abiodun to leave the Ogun State judiciary to work without undue interference to be able to dispense justice without fear or favour. We are advising the Governor to face governance, the only reason why he was elected Governor.
“We are aware of all the activities of Governor Dapo Abiodun in this case in Court. It is our advice that he should stop all these moves so as not to throw Ogun State into chaos. He should allow rule of law to prevail. We are aware of what exists between our former Chairman in Ogun State and the Governor. That is not our concern.
“There are three arms of Government as stipulated in the Constitution, which is the grundnorm of all the laws in Nigeria. This Constitution made the judiciary independent of any other arm. It is the only arm of Government that does not have politicians as members.
“We have never doubted the integrity of the judiciary. We are therefore calling on the judiciary in Ogun State to continue to maintain their historical integrity.”
