The political arena in Nigeria is currently charged with anxiety and anticipation as President Bola Tinubu and 25 state governors eagerly await the verdicts of various tribunals handling petitions related to presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly elections. These judicial panels are expected to deliver their judgments this month, injecting an element of suspense and significance into the nation’s political landscape.
Out of the 28 states where governorship elections were conducted, results proclaimed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are facing challenges in no less than 25 states. Various election tribunals, situated in key states such as Lagos, Sokoto, Delta, Kano, and others, have conscientiously reserved their judgments following extensive hearings and the adoption of written addresses, in accordance with the election petition guidelines established by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensen.
As the entire nation holds its collective breath, political parties and their candidates have resorted to prayers and cautious words, fervently urging the justices presiding over these tribunals to uphold the sanctity of justice. The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, meticulously appointed 346 justices to navigate the intricacies of the 2023 election petitions. According to the constitutional mandate, these justices are duty-bound to deliver their judgments within a 180-day timeframe from the initiation of the petitions.
The presidential election petition tribunal, in particular, has already borne witness to the arguments presented by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi, who seek to challenge the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the President. While President Tinubu’s legal team remains cautiously optimistic about a successful outcome, Atiku’s legal representatives have passionately urged the tribunal to remain impervious to any form of executive intimidation and to dispense justice objectively.
Amidst these legal maneuvers, the political landscape is characterized by a delicate balance of hope and skepticism. Political parties, such as the APC, have expressed unwavering confidence in the judicial process, vehemently denying any external pressures and firmly believing that justice will ultimately prevail. On the other side of the aisle, the PDP and its supporters are relying on the integrity and impartiality of the tribunal justices to ensure that justice is not only served but is seen to be served.
This tension, expectation, and sense of historic significance also extend to the various states across Nigeria where gubernatorial elections have sparked controversy and legal challenges. In each instance, parties and candidates are holding their breath, fervently believing that the judiciary will act as the ultimate arbiter, preserving the sanctity of the rule of law and the principles of democracy.
The verdicts that these tribunals are poised to deliver are more than mere legal judgments; they are pivotal moments in Nigeria’s political history. They hold the power to shape the destiny of the nation and its leaders, and they underscore the importance of an impartial and robust judicial system in safeguarding the democratic process. As the nation awaits these momentous judgments, all eyes are firmly fixed on the judiciary, with the fervent hope that it will ensure a fair and just electoral process that accurately reflects the will of the people.