The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Political and Legislative Powers Bureau, Hon. AbdulLateef AbdulHakeem, has urged the judiciary to ensure that all electoral petitions end within six months after election.

He stated this during the formal closing of the conference of Muslim Student Society of Nigeria (MSSN) in Ifako Ijaiye area in Lagos recently.

In his words: “What Nigerians should work at is a judicial system that will not prolong the pronouncement of the court so as to prevent a situation where somebody who did not win an election would have ruled for three years in an illegitimate capacity.”

He said the former amendment to the constitution, which provided for election to hold in January before the one that is being worked on now, would have been a better arrangement, so that within six months, the tribunal would have completed the exercise.

He added: “The judiciary should try to fast-track election petition process so that the right people can be declared by the court on time and not delayed.”

He commended Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, for being a dogged fighter who did not give up until he was reinstated as the bonafide governor of the state.

He also urged other politicians to emulate the kind courageous spirit the gubernatorial candidate of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) for the 2007 elections in Osun State, Engr. Rauf Aregbesola has displayed. He commended him for his determination to continue to fight till there is a favourable response to his petition.

He urged Muslims to actively participate in politics, especially the 2011 elections, by registering now and voting for the right candidate in 2011.

AbdulHakeem also enjoined youths to become active members of a good political party. According to him, if right-thinking individuals don’t join politics, touts will take over and there will be no room for complaint.