The Conference of Northern States Civil Society Networks has advised President Bola Tinubu to remain neutral in the election cases of Kano, Zamfara and Plateau states currently before the Supreme Court.

There was widespread outrage against the controversial appeal court judgment that sacked Governors Abba Yusuf of Kano and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau and ordered a rerun in Zamfara State.

On Saturday, the group chairman, Ibrahim Waiya, said any attempt to manipulate the Supreme Court judgment would pose a threat to the nation’s democracy.

He also advised the National Judicial Council (NJC) to “adhere to the ethics and practice of their profession, in accordance with the law, as the custodian of justice and rule of rule”.

“The conflicting judgments being issued by various courts of the same jurisdiction have created a sense of confusion and frustration among the citizens.

”Unfortunately, this has led to a loss of trust and confidence in the judiciary,” said Mr Waiya.

Stating that the judiciary’s effectiveness was essential for maintaining public trust, Mr Waiya said, “We believe that the Judicial Service Commission has the responsibility and authority to make the necessary reforms to restore faith in the judiciary.”

He lamented that the security of lives and properties was “declining puts citizens into more fear, hopelessness and uncertainties.”

“We acknowledge the efforts of some governors of Sokoto, Borno, Kaduna, Zamfara and Katsina for their resilience in curtailing the insecurities in their states,” Mr Waiya stated.

The chairman urged the federal government to accord priority attention to security agencies for the build-up of peace and progress.

Mr Waiya added, ”The continuous killings of people, child trafficking, banditry, displacement of communities, kidnappings across the country, especially in some states of the North, are so unprecedented.”

(NAN)