Nigerians are anticipating the decision of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, and the Ohanaeze sociocultural group has warned the justices against making a mistaken decision.
Ohanaeze forewarned that if the judges render an incorrect decision, Nigerians would experience a situation similar to the military takeover in the Niger Republic.
The body cautioned the judiciary to exercise independence in its judgement of the general elections in Nigeria scheduled for 2023, which are tainted by claims of irregularities and violations of electoral rules.
Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the group’s factional secretary-general, claimed that the noncompliance with the requirement for electronic transmission of election results from polling places to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) central server, known as IREV, added to these worries.
Isiguzoro issued a statement in which he stated: “As Nigerians eagerly await the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal’s (PEPT) decision, their expectations are high for an impartial and unequivocal judgement.”
“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.
“In light of recent occurrences like the military coup in Nigerien, we emphasise the effects of a wrong judgement. Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the leading Igbo cultural organisation, 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. These lessons must be kept in mind by the PEPT, and they must be made aware of the crucial part they play in maintaining the credibility of the electoral process and safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy.
“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.
