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Fri, Sep 8, 2023 4:00 PMSenior Lawyers Divided Over Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal Verdict
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Senior lawyers in Nigeria have expressed differing opinions on the recent ruling of the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT), which upheld President Bola Tinubu's victory in the February presidential election. While some lawyers lauded the verdict as a true reflection of the law's principles, others criticized it for relying too heavily on technicality rather than addressing the public's demands for election result transparency. The ruling has raised debates about the role of the judiciary and the integrity of the electoral process.
LAGOS - The recent ruling of the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT), which upheld the election victory of President Bola Tinubu, has sparked varying opinions from senior lawyers across the country.
Dr. Joseph Nwobike, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), hailed the verdict as a demonstration of the fundamental principles that govern election litigations in Nigeria. Nwobike commended the five-member bench, led by Justice Haruna Tsammani, for their diligence, thoroughness, and professionalism in interpreting the law.
However, Chief Goddy Uwazurike, President of Cultural Credibility Development Initiative (CCDI), and former president of Aka Ikenga, an Igbo socio-cultural group, expressed a different view. Uwazurike argued that the tribunal placed excessive emphasis on technicalities, disregarding the public's expectations of election result verification and transparency.
Uwazurike contended that the judiciary was on trial in the court of the people and suggested that the tribunal missed an opportunity to order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to produce the documents used in the election. He criticized INEC for its alleged refusal to provide these documents, accusing the tribunal of ignoring this issue.
The PEPT ruling centered on the petitions filed by Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi and the Labour Party (LP), and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), all challenging Tinubu's victory in the presidential election.
The tribunal declared that Tinubu was qualified to contest the election, dismissing claims that he had been convicted in the United States. It also affirmed INEC's discretion in transmitting election results.
This ruling has triggered debates about the role of the judiciary and the integrity of the electoral process in Nigeria. While some see the judgement as a victory for justice and the rule of law, others question the tribunal's decision to prioritize technicalities over addressing the broader concerns of the public.
The verdict highlights the need for a well-functioning and independent judiciary and the importance of transparency in the electoral process. As the nation prepares for future elections, it is crucial to address these concerns and reaffirm public confidence in the democratic system.
Source of content: OOO News 2023-09-08 News
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