The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the All
Progressives Congress (APC) of trying to intimidate the judiciary and trigger
crises in the country.
Tinubu had asked the election tribunal to dismiss the
petition seeking to nullify his election on the grounds that he did not secure
25 percent of lawful votes cast in the federal capital territory (FCT).
In a statement on Monday, Debo Ologunagba, PDP spokesperson,
said the threat of a crisis and anarchy by the president is not only subversive
but an affront to democratic order and an assault on the corporate existence of
the nation.
“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 statement reads.
“The threats, either
through counsel or officials of the APC are calculated to intimidate and harass
the judiciary and indeed Nigerians.
“The PDP holds that the clear intent of the APC is to
blackmail the court and emasculate the independence of the judiciary to
discharge its duties in accordance with the dictates of the law.
“This action is ostensibly to set the stage to orchestrate
violent crisis in various parts of the country with the intention to further
blackmail the PEPC.
“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 cautions and emphasizes that Nigeria is a
country of rule of law. 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 opposition party asked the APC to 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 party added.
The PDP called on Nigerians to remain calm, alert and
hopeful in the ability of the judiciary to dispense justice accordingly.
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