PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has questioned the governor of Oyo state Seyi Makinde and former governor Rivers state Nysome Wike for being in attendance of a memorial service in Plateau state hosted by the President Appeal Court, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem.

Atiku argued that both Makinde and Wike were not invited and describing the attendance as a ploy by president Ahmed Tinubu to monitor some judges ahead of the election tribunal.

Atiku made the statement through his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, he said the memorial service was a solemn event, “but our busybody interlopers polluted the event with their shameful appearance.”

He added that, “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.”