A political activist has raised the alarm about the purported consideration of September 16 as judgement day by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT), warning that it is fraught with monumental risks.
Reacting to reports on Monday that the PEPT judges are considering giving their verdict on September 16, the activist, Mr. Isaac Obasi, said in a viral post: “There are lots of posts circulating concerning PEPT setting the day of judgment to be 16th September 2023 but this information has not been confirmed and until it is, let’s be circumspect in broadcasting it.
However, if that date is confirmed, all Nigerians must reject that date with every strength left in them.
“16th September is a Saturday and the last day by law of the 180 days for which the court is to sit. Ask yourself these questions…
“1. What happens if any or all of the judges fail to show up?
“2. What happens if there are any eventualities whatsoever that make judgment impossible?
“The answer is simple: The case becomes statute barred. It means all efforts have been wasted, all the parties will go home and Tinubu will remain president because no one can extend the constitutional provision of 180 days.”
Continuing, Obasi wrote: “As we wait for the Justice Haruna Tsammani’s led panel of judges that will give the PEPT Appeal Court Verdict I am advising that they shouldn’t give a verdict that will set Nigeria ablaze.
“It is the prerogative of the PEPT judges to ensure that truth and justice prevail to make room for peace and harmony and they have been given enough evidence to prove the real winner of the 2023 presidential elections.
“I also reiterate that the Judiciary is the only institution that has all it takes to save this country from the threat of implosion. All eyes have been on the judiciary because of Nigeria’s respect for the rule of law.”
The tribunal whichh sat at the Court of Appeal complex in Abuja from May 8 to August 1, is expected to deliver judgement on the three petitions lodged by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP) and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) together with their presidential candidates, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Peter Obi and the Delta-born Princess Chichi Ojei respectively, against the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the winner of the February 25, 2023 presidential election in the country.
The defendants In the cases are Tinubu, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent national Electoral Commission (INEC).
