By Mark Lenu
Some residents of Rivers State who have been following the trend of political events in the state have advised Governor Siminalayi Fubara not to allow cases that concern the state to be trialed in Justice Peter Lifu’s federal high court.
The residents who tagged themselves as concerned residents of the state told our correspondent through their leader, Samuel Chidi that Justice Lifu had shown to be on the side of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike in all matters.
The residents cited the recent ruling delivered by the judge on the voter’s register and the tenures of the acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum as reasons the judge is pro-Wike.
You recall that Justice Lifu had on Friday, declared that Damagum remains the Peoples Democratic Party National Chairman, till the party’s national convention next year.
“What the ruling implies is that even if Damagum violates his party’s constitution, he can not be removed which means Damagum now has immunity over the laws of his party.
“This kind of ruling shows that Justice Lifu is protecting the interest of Wike who happens to be a strong ally of Damagum if the ruling had enjoined all parties in the suit to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the matter before the court, that would have been understood not to make Damagum untouchable until the party conducted its national convention.
“It shows that no case can be won against the FCT Minister if such a matter is to be presided over by Justice Lifu. This is why we are urging Governor Fubara not to allow Rivers matter to be handled by Justice Lifu,” they said.
Before the just-concluded local government election in the state, the trial Justice Lifu issued an injunction restraining INEC from releasing voter register to RSIEC and preventing security agents from participating in the election.
