The All Progressives Congress (APC) threatened to intimidate the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) on Monday, prompting concern from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The group claimed that the written threat made by attorneys to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC to the PEPC was an attempt to intimidate the judiciary in advance.
“The statement by the lawyers in the said written address threatening crisis and anarchy in the country in the event that the Court rules that their clients did not meet the constitutionally required 25% votes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is subversive, an affront to democratic order, and an assault on the corporate existence of the nation,” claims PDP.
The PDP, in a statement by its spokesman, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, said, “it is alarming and disturbing that the APC externalized to the public, their final written address in which they also threatened national peace if the Court upholds the clear provisions of Section 134 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) with regard to the mandatory and statutory requirements for which a Candidate in a Presidential election can be declared winner.
“The threats, either through Counsel or officials of the APC is calculated to intimidate and harass the Judiciary and indeed Nigerians.”
“We ask, why is the APC externalizing their final written address to the public? Is the APC being pre-emptive and now seeks to heighten tension, subvert the judicial process and trigger anarchy, having realized the weakness of their case before the PEPC?”
The PDP however cautioned and emphasized that Nigeria is a country of Rule of Law, adding that the statutory requirements for a winner in a Presidential election as provided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2022 are clear and unambiguous.
“The APC must therefore respect the provisions of the law and allow the judiciary to discharge its duties independently, without threats, intimidation and coercion.
“Contrary to the doomsday claims of the APC and its lawyers, upholding the provisions of the Constitution and the laws at this point will rather promote peace and stability in the polity, deepen our democracy and engender confidence in the Institution of the Judiciary.
The PDP called on Nigerians to remain calm, at alert and hopeful in the ability of the Judiciary to dispense justice accordingly.
