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The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has requested that the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Pauline Tallen, withdraw her comments on the judgement that removed Senator Aishatu Binani as the All Progressives Congress Governorship candidate in Adamawa state.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In a lawsuit filed by one of the aspirants, Nuhu Ribadu, the court declared the governorship primary invalid on the grounds that it was conducted in violation of the Electoral Act 2022 and the APC Constitution and Guidelines.
Tallen had referred to the Federal High Court’s decision as “a kangaroo judgement” and made “disrespectful” comments about it while speaking to journalists on the sidelines of her alma mater, Federal Government Girls’ College, Bida.
In a letter dated November 14 and signed by its President, Yakubu Maikyau, the NBA stated that it has no interest in the matter and holds no brief for any of the parties involved.
Tallen’s behaviour was further described by Maikyau as uncivilised and completely unbecoming, particularly for a public official who should know better and wields enormous power over political supporters who may interpret such comments as a marching order against the court.
The association also demanded that the Minister retract her remarks and apologise to the court within seven days.
The letter stated:
“The association does not and will not tolerate any individual or group of individuals who treat the Court and its processes or proceedings with levity and contempt.”
“Your remarks were clearly intended to cast doubt on the Court’s integrity, bring it into disrepute, and incite public hostility toward the judiciary.”
“The only permissible, lawful, and civil way to express one’s dissatisfaction with a Court’s decision is to appeal the decision and not use derogatory language in reference to the Court, no matter how unhappy one is with its decisions.”
