The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused lawyers representing President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Presidential Election Petition Court of engaging in acts aimed at intimidating the judiciary. The main opposition party claims that the alleged threats are contained in the lawyers’ written addresses before the election petition tribunal.
In a press release, the PDP expresses concern over the lawyers’ statements, which it sees as an affront to democratic order and an assault on the nation’s corporate existence. The lawyers reportedly threatened to cause crisis and anarchy if the court rules that their clients did not meet the constitutionally required 25 per cent votes in the Federal Capital Territory.
The PDP considers these threats as attempts to blackmail the court and emasculate the independence of the judiciary in discharging its duties according to the law. The party also questions the APC’s decision to externalize their final written address to the public, suggesting that it may be a pre-emptive move to heighten tension, subvert the judicial process, and trigger anarchy.
Emphasizing that Nigeria is a country of rule of law, the PDP calls on the APC to respect the provisions of the law and allow the judiciary to function independently without threats, intimidation, or coercion. Upholding the provisions of the constitution and the laws, according to the PDP, will promote peace, stability, and confidence in the judiciary, thus deepening democracy in the country.
The PDP urges Nigerians to remain calm, alert, and hopeful in the judiciary’s ability to dispense justice impartially and in accordance with the law.
