Presidential Tribunal: Group protests in Abuja, warns against ‘unfair’ verdict

A human rights movement championing the cause for equity and transparency, Better Governance For Nigeria, has called on the judicial arm of government to consider national interest while delivering judgment at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

Stressing the need for the tribunal to give all political parties fair hearing, the group warned that “unfair” verdict might not augur well for the country.

The Convener of the group, Abayomi Runsewe while addressing journalists during a peaceful protest in Abuja on Thursday, urged the Judiciary to consider the cases based on merit, so that after the judgement, some groups will not feel marginalised.

The protesters who held placards with inscriptions such as “Your Judgment will either make or destroy Nigeria”, Save our children’s future”, “Lets give Fair Judgment a chance”, among others chanted slogans advocating for justice and transparency in the legal process at the tribunal

Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress was declared the winner of the February 25 presidential election but his victory is being challenged at the tribunal by some parties and their candidates.

Runsewe, however, claimed that the group does not support any political party but stands in solidarity with the people of Nigeria in defence of justice and good governance.

He also claimed that the group is not against the inauguration of the President-elect on May 29.

He stated: “Today, we are concerned about the state of the nation, but we don’t want to be in one side, we are concerned about Nigeria. Our message today is to the judiciary and the law enforcement agency.

“We are urging the judiciary to listen to the both side of the coin, we want them to consider the cases on its merit, we want judgement to be based on merit so that after the judgement we will not go back again into violence or other form of separation or some people feel marginalised.

“We want to raise a new consciousness in Nigeria, we want an egalitarian Nigeria, a Nigeria that is pragmatic in nature, where things are judged on merit and we are urging the judiciary to be above board.

“So, we are urging the judiciary today to be fair to all sides and give a good verdict. We are talking about the Presidential Election Tribunal, we are concerned that it is a new dawn, we don’t want things that will be as usual, we want a new Nigeria and we believe that the judiciary are going to be up to task and give a good judgement”.