Wike, Makinde Relating With Judges To Seek Their Paymaster’s Favour – Shaibu

The Public Communication Assistant to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, Phrank Shaibu has made claims that the ex-governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike and Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, are closely monitoring judges as the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal is concluding.

According to Shaibu, Wike and Makinde attended a memorial service in Plateau State hosted by the President of the Appeal Court, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, despite reportedly not being invited.

“Our busybody interlopers polluted the event with their shameful appearance,” he said, hinting that the memorial was initially a solemn affair.

In a statement he signed, Shaibu accused Wike of employing questionable methods to gain favour with judges, including giving them gifts under the guise of welfare.

He suggested that Wike’s latest visit to the Appeal Court President’s event might be an attempt to influence the appellate court, where the current tribunal judges hail from.

Shaibu also pointed to a comment reportedly made by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, a few months back, saying that Governor Makinde was part of the group of renegade governors known as the G5, as a potential slip-up indicating the close monitoring of judges.

He said: “Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State as the host governor, was invited for the programme, but Wike and Makinde were gatecrashers at that event. The reason is not far-fetched. They have continued to cosy up to judges just to impress their paymaster.

“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 rumours 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.”