A civil society group, Free Nigeria Movement (FNM) has called on the judiciary through the judges of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) to be the voice of reason and save Nigeria’s democracy from collapse.
The group said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) , under his watch has demonstrated crass disregard for he Electoral Act of 2022 and has recently developed the skill of crying more than the bereaved in the manner it has responded to petitions by aggrieved political parties and candidates.
At a briefing with journalists yesterday in Abuja, convener of the group, Dr Moses Paul, said the the judges must uphold the integrity of the judiciary and let Nigeria win.
The group equally raised concern on the timing of the hearing and called for the conclusion of cases before the inauguration of a new administration.
He ssid, “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.
“May we state that it is important to note that aside 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. Issues such as double nomination by the APC.
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. For if we allow the Prof. Mahmoud fraud of 1st March, 2023, to subsist, we will be saying yes to the barrage of illegalities that will follow”, he added.
