The Diaspora Action for Democracy in Africa (DADA), a prominent civil society organization (CSO), has urged the presidential election petitions tribunal to to be very careful in its verdict to prevent potential unrest within the country.
The tribunal is currently deliberating on the petitions challenging the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the recent general election.
The petitioners, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, who were the standard bearers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) respectively, are seeking to overturn Tinubu’s electoral triumph.
The judiciary needs to be very careful
In a press conference held in Abuja on Thursday, Great Jonathan, the spokesperson for DADA, emphasized that the nation’s judiciary holds the power to avert a possible crisis.
He stated, “The judiciary is the only institution that has all that it takes to save this country from the threat of implosion.”
Jonathan expressed that while Nigerians traditionally hold the judiciary in high regard due to the country’s respect for the rule of law, the tribunal members should be cautious in their judgment.
He argued that the electorate, rather than the court, should determine the true winner of the presidential election, as they are more informed about their choice for president.
They should make room for peace and harmony
Jonathan also said, “But since it is the prerogative of the court to ensure that truth and justice prevail each time they are disputed, to make room for peace and harmony, the court has been given enough evidence to prove the real winner of the 2023 presidential election.”
Based on discussions with a diverse group of Nigerians, DADA’s statement reflects concerns that an unsatisfactory verdict from the tribunal could ignite the simmering frustration among the youth and potentially lead to turmoil within the country.
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Anxiety builds as Presidential Election Petition Court nears judgment
Meanwhile, the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) is drawing closer to delivering its judgment on the challenge to the February 25 presidential election.
This has caused anxiety among President Bola Tinubu’s camp and the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP).
The court has received the final written arguments from both parties in the petitions filed by Atiku and Obi against President Tinubu’s victory. It is now time for the court to schedule a date for the judgment.
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