Tribunal Delay: Dimming Hopes of Obi, Atiku as May 29 Oath-Taking Draws Close -Editorial

May 29, 2023, is close. Its closeness hinged on the expected inauguration of the contentious president-elect, Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, coupled with the delay in tribunal rulings, luck seems to be running out on Atiku and Obi and their teeming supporters.

Nigerians and various political parties believed that the 2023 presidential election was rigged and expected an upturn at the election petitions tribunal. It would be recalled that the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi had argued in several forms that he won the presidential election and that he would get his stolen mandate at the election petitions tribunal. Equally, the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar hoped to win at the election petitions tribunal after rejecting the February 25 Nigeria’s presidential election results.

The two presidential candidates have been in court since, seeking a ruling that would annul and void Tinubu’s election victory, but this seemed to be impossible as judges will not be independent — in the real sense of the word–after the inauguration of the president-elect. It is largely believed that the president in Nigeria dictates almost everything in the country. He may want to bend the judiciary to do his bidding. Equally, a judge who refuses to obey the directives of the president could be fired and Judges who will be willing horses to him be imposed on Nigerians, especially the CJN and AGF.

The supreme court is the apex court in every clime but its decisions are largely influenced by the CJN and attorney general of the federation who are appointees of the government. It is a clear fact that cases of government interest can be influenced and upturned through the office of the attorney general of the federation and the Chief Judge who are appointees of the government.

It is expected that the election tribunal would give judgement before May 29. However, by common knowledge of Nigeria’s judicial system, for a tribunal to commence its first hearing on Monday next week to complete the whole rigorous exercise within 24 days is as good as building a castle in the air no matter the accelerated hearing it may have.

It is largely assumed that Nigerian judges can’t remove a sitting president from power. With the above notion, the chances of Obi and Atiku getting a victory at the election petition tribunal becomes slimmer. And the slimmer it becomes, the slimmer it becomes for the teeming supporters even as Nigerians still wait with bated breath in the ‘believed’ Rescue Mission. Time will tell!