Mr. Peter Obi, Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) at the February 25, Presidential election has made a strong case for losers at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) as it concerns Nigeria’s electoral jurisprudence.
ENigeria Newspaper reports that reactions have continued to trail the verdict of the PEPT on Wednesday, pronouncing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu the authentic winner of the last Presidential election in Nigeria.
The Tribunal had dismissed petitions by the party and its presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, stating that they failed to prove their cases against the election of the incumbent, President Bola Tinubu.
However, the Labour Party quickly rejected the verdict, adding that it would definitely head for an appeal.
On his part, Peter Obi held the view that “if care was not taken, sound electoral jurisprudence would disappear in the country”.
He further stressed that litigants who are dissatisfied with the outcome of an election may resort to self-help, if they continue to find it very difficult to establish their case owing to obstacles from government institutions like the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Speaking through his team of lawyers led by Dr. Livy Uzoukwu, SAN, Obi, said: “If we are not careful, our electoral jurisprudence will eventually disappear. I am saying this with every amount of sincerity because when the litigant, when those who contested the election continue to find it very difficult to establish their case due to obstacles on the way, starting by INEC, certainly they may resort to some other means of trying to get justice, which may not be lawful.
“Also, I commend the Court of Appeal for introducing live streaming. You may recall that we applied to the court to have live streaming of all the proceedings, but the court, in its wisdom did not grant the application.
“But now, in the end, they saw the wisdom in it and the need to guarantee transparency, hence, live streaming of the judgement.
“Certainly, it would have been better if it was live streaming of the entire proceedings so that the public would have the chance to watch and be able to relate properly with the judgement.
“So, I will hope and pray that this time, it will be continuous, starting from the beginning of a case.
“That is the only way that you can guarantee transparency because when something is open, Nigerians will see things for themselves and they will make up their minds, one way or the other,” he added.
Jubril Okutepa Breaks Silence on PEPT Judgment
Jubril Okutepa SAN one of the Counsels who represented Labour Party/Peter Obi at the PEPC on his part said, “No matter what the judiciary decided based on facts, Nigerians know the truth of what happened on the 25th February 2023 in the presidential election in Nigeria. Truth and facts and evidence in proof are poles apart. While courts rely on evidence of facts, truth does not.
“Nigeria will do itself well if at all times it upholds truth in the running of its affairs. Nigerians know the excruciating pains petitioners go through in the hands of INEC and how pink copies of election results are not always given to agents of parties in most cases.
“Judgments have been delivered. Justice is different from judgment. Nigeria shall reap the fruits of what is being ditched out by those we trust to do what is right. Those who got judgments know the truth in their hearts. Those celebrating know the truth. Truth is constant.
“By my training I respect Courts. I must respect the decisions of the courts. That is what the rule of law enjoys me to do. But I stand by my conviction with courage for the truth. No baptismal name of legality can make what is not right to become right. Nigerians know the truth”, Okutepa said. TO READ MORE NEWS CLICK HERE
Source: ENigeria Newspaper
