Arise News anchor, Reuben Abati, has reacted to the statement by Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, over the Federal High Court judgment that sacked the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
Abati spoke on Friday during Arise Television’s Morning Show, where he faulted Keyamo’s tone and warned that celebration by government officials over a court judgment against the opposition only fuels suspicion.
Keyamo had said the warped subliminal logic floating around is that it is impossible for an opposition party to lose a case in court, and if it does, then it must be the interference of the ruling party.
Abati disagreed with that framing, saying that Nigerians are not questioning the right of the court to decide disputes, but the timing, the optics and the speed with which government officials rush to celebrate judgments that knock out opposition candidates.
He cautioned against speculation about external influence on the judiciary, but said the concerns raised by the opposition cannot be dismissed as mere sentiments, stating that the matter is far from over.
“Stop celebrating, Keyamo. The matter is not over yet. They will go to the Appeal Court.
“And then, the Appeal Court will be able to look at the issues either about procedure, about timing, about technicality, about evidence, how evidence was filed, and whether the procedure should have been through originating summons or another thing,” Abati said.
He warned that when a minister whose portfolio has nothing to do with elections becomes the loudest voice celebrating the removal of an opposition presidential candidate, it creates the impression of the voice of Jacob and the hand of Esau.
The ADC has already vowed to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal, and the appellate court will have to look at the issues of procedure, timing, technicality and evidence.