Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Africa and Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, issued the following statement with regard to the Nigerian Supreme Court’s upcoming reconsideration of its controversial January 14, 2020 ruling which undid the results of an election in Imo State announced by Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission, and placed the fourth place finisher in the Governor’s seat:

“Nearly a year ago both the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria and I sounded the warning that President Muhammadu Buhari’s suspension and removal of the then-Chief Justice and elevation of a handpicked successor threatened judicial independence and also undermined confidence that electoral disputes would be adjudicated fairly. Next week the Supreme Court of Nigeria will reconsider a controversial ruling with respect to the gubernatorial election in Imo State. The eyes of the world are focused on whether the Supreme Court, upon reflection, will impartially adhere to Nigerian constitutional principles of federalism and the separation of power. If it rules with integrity, the Supreme Court can reassert its constitutional role as a firewall against unbridled federal executive power, and help preserve constitutionalism and democracy in Nigeria that is in danger of being undermined.”

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