Tribunal: Timi Frank asks judges to resist pressure, says Nigeria’s fate in their hands

Timi Frank, a former deputy spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says the presidential election petition tribunal must resist any form of pressure.

The hearing of the petitions filed by Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) will commence on Monday.

They are challenging the victory of Bola Tinubu, president-elect.

In a statement on Friday, Frank, an ally of the PDP candidate, said the judges hearing the petitions owe Nigerians their loyalty and should respect their oath of allegiance.

“As the presidential election petition tribunal begins its hearing and determination of suits brought before it, it is noteworthy that the enthusiasm and expectation of Nigerians is at an all-time high, which signifies a renewed hope in the judiciary as an unbiased arbiter,” he said.

“The five justices who have been selected for this arduous task are aware of the magnitude of the assignment before them, and therefore, must ensure that they uphold the high sense of integrity expected of them as justices of the court of appeal.

“The overall consideration and subsequent decision of the tribunal must be seen to reflect the basis for judicial decisions, which are the products of two fixed elements: the facts and the rule of law.

“Therefore all the features of a good judgment are expected to be demonstrated by the justices in an accurate, succinct, factual and vivid manner.

“The justices must be reminded that the fate of the nation is currently in their hands, and the least responsibility expected by Nigerians is their unalloyed loyalty to the people and their oaths of allegiance to the Nigerian constitution.

“They must resist any form of pressure from whomsoever whether within or without. The justices must display utmost uprightness as Nigeria will be in the spotlight of international stakeholders and citizens eager to follow the proceedings.”

The former APC spokesperson said the case should be determined before May 29, the day President Muhammadu Buhari will hand over power.

“We do not expect anything less, otherwise the Nigerian people will hold the justices liable for any eventuality,” he said.