One of the many petitions filed against the President-elect, Bola Tinubu and the Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the petition demanding the public viewing of the Tribunal proceedings.
The request is not just coming from opposition parties but from Nigerians who claim to have lost trust in the judiciary.
Do you remember the allegations of a secret meeting held between Bola Tinubu and the Chief Judge?
It was alleged that this secret meeting was held in London.
CJN Ariwoola was accused of disguising as a cripple on a wheelchair to meet the president-elect.
Although, the CJN has denied having a meeting with Tinubu. He says he was in London on medical purpose.
Since then, till this very moment, Nigerians cannot hide their distrust in the judiciary.
Air The Court Proceedings
Peter Obi, who came third in the 2023 presidential election, is challenging the victory of Tinubu, claiming the alleged irregularities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had aided him.
Shortly after rumours of Tinubu’s secret meeting with CJN Ariwoola spread, Nigerians, as well as opposition parties (LP and PDP), called for the Tribunal to air the court proceedings live.
According to them, it will aide transparency and would also restore the lost glory of the judiciary.
Also Read: Election Tribunal: Why Proceedings Should Be Aired Live- Falana
However, the five-member PEPC, led by Justice Haruna Tsammani, decided to defer its ruling on the application made by Peter Obi and the Labour Party (LP) for the live streaming of court proceedings.
For Tsammani, the ruling on the motion for the televised broadcast would be done on Monday, May 22.
The lawyer representing Obi and the LP, Awa Kalu (SAN) pleaded the court to grant the application in the interest of the public’s right to access information.
Tinubu, INEC In Opposition
Sadly, in Nigeria’s system, wherever an opposition takes a stand on something, the other side will surely differ on it.
What we cannot tell is why INEC will kick against the live viewing of the proceedings. People say the electoral umpire should have seen it as an opportunity to prove its credibility.
Also Read: Tribunal Adjourns Peter Obi’s Petition Against Tinubu To May 20
Rejecting the request, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), representing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Wole Olanipekun (SAN), representing Bola Tinubu, and Kashim Shettima, and Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), presented their counter affidavits and pleaded with the court to reject the application.
They argue that the application lacked merit and would serve as a distraction to the court.
You May Like: ‘My President’- Nigerians Hail As Peter Obi Arrive Tribunal (Photos)
The court further adjourned the pre-hearing to Saturday, May 20, 2023, in order to allow Muslims to observe their prayers.
