Election Tribunal: CSO Cautions Against Interference

A civil society organisation under the auspices of Free Nigeria Movement warned stakeholders against interfering with the work of the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal.

The organisation urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Mr. Olukayode Ariwoola, to ensure the judges are given the right support and independence to decide on the cases.

Co-convener of the group, Dr. Moses Paul, who made this call at a press conference tagged: “PEPC: The Burden of Justice and Urgency of the Balm of Hope on Battered Public Trust,”  in Abuja, said for a vast majority of Nigerians, the expectation is for the conduct of proceedings to follow the rules of justice, equity, fairness, without any interruption or slightest detour from due process.

According to Paul, the judges at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) are well aware of the enormous output of political consciousness in Nigerian during the last general elections especially the presidential election of February 25, 2023, and the apathy that was witnessed in the gubernatorial election that followed.

“This should be a cause for concern to them and all Nigerians for that matter, and should guide their gavel in adjudicating on the matters before them.

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“As of today, they have the most difficult job in the land. But an honourable one. As they listen to petitions, the conscience of Nigeria will be waiting outside the walls of the courtroom with the account it will give posterity in their names.

“We urge them to do the right thing for Nigeria and not for any political party or candidate. The Chief Justice of Nigeria must ensure that the judges are given the right support and independence to decide on the cases without any kind of interference or inducement. The judges must look beyond technicalities and base their decision on the path that bequeaths the best outcome for the country,” he said.

The group further expressed concern over the timing of the hearing, thereby calling on the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) to conclude the cases before the inauguration of a new administration, saying that this will provide a focus for the administration and closure to the nation.

“May we state that it is important to note that aside from the plaintiffs’ traditional to this case, this is also a trial for the Nigerian judiciary. Hence, the hearing must proceed in a manner that does not insult the sensibility of Nigerians or drain the well of confidence in the judiciary.

“If public institutions fail at this pace, we may not have a country in the next decade. But Nigeria is important to all of us. We owe every duty to defend and uphold her dignity which is conferred by adherence to laws by all.

“We call on the judiciary through the judges of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) to be the voice of reason and save our democracy from collapse. We call on the judges to uphold the integrity of the judiciary and let Nigeria win,” he said.