PEPT Verdict : Group condemns loosers for blackmailing judges
From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
A non governmental Organisation popularly known as Organization for Community Civic Engagement (OCCEN), has condemned the alleged blackmail and threatening the judges of Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) over the recent verdict.
The condemnation was contained in a statement signed by the executive Director of OCCEN comrade Abdulrazaq Alkali and made it available to news men.
The statement, that call for Nigerians to Upheld the Sanctity of Judiciary said, the ruling led by 5-member team of justices from the appeal court and high courts upholding the electoral victory of the President Bola Ahmad Tinubu will go a long way in upholding the democracy and strengthening the efforts and independence of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to the statement, constitution has clearly laid down procedures to follow in challenging election at tribunals up to supreme courts.
“The action of some supporters from the opposition parties in blackmailing and threatening our Judges should highly condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians. One would wonder whether these actors and their supporters are interested in having a just system that works for all or that they are only interested in access to power by hook or crook.
” It is therefore critical for well-meaning Nigerians and lawyers to speak up and upheld the sanctity of our judiciary.
The statement also said, Nigerians should be careful of the possible repercussions that will divide the country as a nation, and if such elements allow to rubbish and destroy the image and confidence of our judiciary through their dubiously crafted lies and blackmail.
The statement also alleged some of the actors from the opposition have secretly promoting and calling for national protest, with the aim of creating instability and worsening the socio-economic conditions of Nigerians.
“They are hoping to exploit the difficult economic challenges bedevilling Nigeria to rile up citizens into violent protest against the elected government.
However the statement alleged some of these actors are planning to use the crisis and instability to promote military intervention, motivated by the recent military coups that is sweeping some of our neighbouring countries.
The statement then, called on citizens not to allow politicians and criminals to exploit the vulnerabilities and current economic difficulties to lead the country into unimaginable crisis that will bring this country on it knees.
“The ruling delivered by the PEPT is not a final judicial judgement regarding presidential election, thus the petitioners have a right to appeal this ruling at the Supreme Court.
