The judges of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal have received a warning from the sociocultural organisation Ohanaeze not to provide an incorrect decision.
The group claims that making the wrong decision could result in an event like the military coup in the Niger Republic.
Ohanaeze argued that the judges must be impartial in their assessment of the general elections of 2023, which are dogged by claims of anomalies and violations of electoral regulations.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) central server, known as IREV, did not receive electronic election results from polling places as required, according to the group’s factional Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isisguzoro. This raised more worries, he added.
Nigerians, according to Isisguzoro, are anxiously anticipating the PEPT’s decision and have high hopes for an impartial, unequivocal ruling.
He stated that a critical matter that the judiciary must examine is the interpretation of the constitutional requirement that a presidential candidate win 25% of 2/3 of the states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
“As Nigerians eagerly await the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal’s (PEPT) decision, their expectations are high for an impartial and unequivocal judgement,” he stated.
“Another critical matter that the judiciary must examine is the interpretation of the constitutional requirement that a presidential candidate win 25% of 2/3 of the states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
We underline the results of a flawed judgement in light of current occurrences like the military coup in Nigerien. Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the leading Igbo cultural body, has warned the PEPT judges to avoid any mistakes in their judgement. Nigerians are aware of the seriousness of this warning and the potential repercussions of a mistaken judgement. A poor ruling could erode public faith in the democratic process and cause social and political instability, thus the judiciary must think about the decision’s broader ramifications.
Recent occurrences, like the military takeover in Niger, are a sobering reminder of how fragile democracy is and how crucial it is to defend the rule of law. Nigerians have seen firsthand the terrible effects of political unrest and the decline of democratic institutions. In order to maintain the credibility of the electoral process and safeguard Nigeria’s democracy, the PEPT must keep these lessons in mind and acknowledge the critical role they play.
“The Nigerians’ hopes for the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in 2023 are based on their desire for an impartial and unwavering decision,” the statement reads.
