ABUJA/Nigeria: In a compelling statement, the former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has implored the esteemed Justices of the Supreme Court to prioritize the welfare of the Nigerian populace as they prepare to deliberate on the appeals contesting the eligibility of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President.
Frank’s call to action comes in the wake of hearing notices from the court to the involved parties, with the proceedings scheduled for Monday. A seven-member panel of Justices has been convened to adjudicate the appeals lodged by three presidential candidates who challenge the outcome of the February 25 election and the subsequent dismissal of their petitions by the tribunal.
These candidates include Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), and Chichi Ojei of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
The roster of Supreme Court Justices assigned to preside over these appeals includes Justices Musa Dattijo Muhammad, Uwani Musa Abba Aji, Lawal Garba, Helen M. Ogunwumiju, I.N. Saulawa, Tijjani Abubakar, and Emmanuel Agim.
In his capacity as the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, Timi Frank passionately urged the Justices to comprehend the monumental gravity of their impending decisions. He asserted, “The appeals before you constitute perhaps the toughest and farthest-reaching judgments you will ever make in your lengthy tenures on the bench.”
Frank continued by acknowledging the potential pressures on the Justices to make misguided decisions, tempted by promises, gifts, and inducements. He emphasized their impending retirements, asking, “What reputation do you wish to carry into retirement? Will it be tainted by ill-gotten wealth stained with the blood of those who perished during the elections, or will you seek vindication in the eyes of both man and God?”
The former Deputy National Publicity Secretary underscored the universal significance of these appeals, transcending individual candidates or political parties. He declared, “This transcends Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, or the APM party; it concerns the legacy and precedent you are poised to establish in Nigeria. As the final safeguard of democracy and the rule of law, the Supreme Court must fulfill its solemn duty, and this is the moment to do so.”
He implored the Justices to steer clear of basing their rulings on technicalities, urging them to exercise their consciences and divine judgment when evaluating the merits of the arguments before them.
Timi Frank insisted that the world has witnessed the facts and acknowledges the truth surrounding the elections. He mentioned that other courts in various jurisdictions have corroborated these facts, highlighting the importance of considering all relevant evidence, even if it means admitting new evidence.
In an emotional plea, he beseeched the Justices not to protect the interests of a single party or individual at the expense of over 200 million Nigerians, both at home and abroad, who eagerly await the truth. He noted the declining confidence in the Nigerian judiciary both domestically and internationally and implored the Supreme Court to restore faith in the judicial system.
Frank referenced the recent remarks of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, who emphasized the primacy of the constitution in judicial decisions. He concurred with the Chief Justice, asserting that the Justices must ground their decisions in the constitution, their consciences, God, and the well-being of the nation.
In conclusion, Frank cautioned against premature celebrations and hinted at a potentially biased perception of the appeal’s outcome. He urged the Supreme Court Justices to demonstrate the same boldness and impartiality as the Kenyan Supreme Court, serving as an exemplar of integrity and fairness on the African continent.
He underscored the necessity to uphold the law, emphasizing, “We are not asking you to act contrary to the law but to respect the constitution, which forbids candidates from presenting forged certificates to INEC.”
In a critical juncture for Nigerian democracy, Comrade Timi Frank’s impassioned plea resonates as a call for unwavering commitment to justice and the rule of law.”
