Phrank Shaibu, the spokesman of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has accused former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and current Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde of trying to influence the judges of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT).
Shaibu released a signed statement where he stated that Wike and Makinde attended a memorial service arranged by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem. Shaibu said Wike and Makinde showed up at the occasion despite not having any invitation for the event.
The statement pointedly accused Wike of using that event and visit to attempt to influence the judgement of the PEPT whose judges are domiciled in the Court of Appeal.
Shaibu also attested that Wike was in the habit of using gifts disguised as welfare packages to seek favor with judges.
He also dragged the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola into the matter stating that the CJN expressed bias in a slip-up made by the CJN expressing happiness that Makinde was part of the G5 Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party who opposed the presidential candidature of Atiku Abubakar. He said that move put a big question mark on the integrity of the CJN
Here is an excerpt from the statement:
“Unfortunately, the CJN, Justice Ariwoola, has also failed to live above suspicion. He was in Rivers State ahead of the election, where he said he was happy that Governor Makinde was a member of G5. Then, at the commissioning of the Oyo Governor’s lodge in Abuja on May 25, the CJN once again was the special guest of Governor Makinde.”
“Today, there are rumors that the next attorney-general will be a kinsman of the CJN as part of efforts to manipulate the outcome of the election petition tribunal. While this has not been proven, the fact remains that the CJN has put himself in a position where his integrity is constantly questioned.”
