A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Timi Frank, has urged the Justices of the Supreme Court to summon courage as they prepare to give judgment on the appeals of petitions, challenging Bola Tinubu’s election as President of Nigeria in the February 25 election.
Frank appealed while reacting to the hearing notices from the Supreme Court to political parties in the case fixed for Monday, October 23, 2023, and the setting up of a seven-man panel of Justices to hear the appeals filed by three presidential candidates who are challenging Tinubu’s election.
It would be recalled that Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, Peter Obi of the Labour Party, and the Allied People’s Movement candidate, Chichi Ojei, whose petitions had been earlier thrown away at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, approached the Supreme Court for redress.
Reacting to the notice of the judgment as revealed by the Apex Court, the former APC Deputy scribe urged the Justices to know that the appeals they are about to hear represent the most difficult decision they would ever make in their long years of stewardship at the bench.
He said “We know there will be intense pressure on you, Justices, to do the wrong thing. There will be promises, gifts and inducements.
“Some of you are about to retire. What reputation do you want to retire with? Do you want to retire with blood-stained wealth given the number of people whose blood was shed during the election without peace in your conscience?
“You can be vindicated today by a man who wants you people to do injustice and inflict more pain on Nigerians. Will you also be vindicated by God? What do you want to be remembered for upon retirement?
“This is not about Atiku Abubakar, it’s not all about Peter Obi, it’s not about the APM party. Yet it’s about the legacy and precedent that you are about to hand down in Nigeria. The Supreme Court as the last line of defense of democracy and the rule of law must fulfil its duty and this is the moment to do so.
“Therefore this is not the time to base your ruling on technicalities.
“Judge within your consciences and God to know if the arguments before you are viable or not. You must thoroughly weigh the facts and the truth before arriving at a decision.”
