BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – Former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the 2019 General Elections, Atiku Abubakar says his legal team’s objection to Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa to recuse herself from his Election Petition Tribunal, was not a reflection on her character or competence.
Atiku in a statement he personally signed on Wednesday night, said, as a matter of fact, he has great respect for Justice Bulkachuwa, being a pioneer and advocate for gender equality and female empowerment.
The Waziri Adamawa however noted that one of the principal maxims of the Common Law, is nemo judex in causa sua (no man shall be a judge in his own case).
He explained that the call by his legal team for Justice Bulkachuwa to recuse herself from the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal was predicated on this principle, being that her husband, Alhaji Mohammed Bulkachuwa, is an All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator-elect.
Atiku said the case Justice Bulkachuwa was expected to adjudicate upon had a bearing on her husband’s party.
The former Vice President further said; “It is with this in mind that I commend Justice Bulkachuwa for recusing herself from the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal Panel hearing my petition against the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Her action showed courage and is an act of patriotism. She has, by this action, increased the confidence the public have for the judiciary.
“Not only do I commend her, I also pray, especially in this holy month of Ramadan, that Justice will be done by the tribunal according to the fear of God and not in keeping with respect for the powers that be.”
He prayed God to bless the judiciary and bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
