Consider cases based on merit, group charges tribunal

The judicial arm of government has been urged to consider national interest while delivering judgment at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

Abayomi Runsewe, Convener of Better Governance For Nigeria, a human rights movement championing the cause for equity and transparency, made the appeal Thursday in Abuja on the sidelines of a peaceful protest.

Runsewe urged the judiciary to consider the cases based on merit, so that after the judgement, some groups will not feel marginalised.

The protesters, who held placards with inscriptions such as “Your Judgment will either make or destroy Nigeria”, “Save our children’s future”, “Lets give Fair Judgment a chance”, among others chanted slogans advocating for justice and transparency in the legal process at the tribunal.

Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress was declared the winner of the February 25 presidential election but his victory is being challenged at the tribunal by some parties and their candidates.

Runsewe, however, claimed that the group does not support any political party but stands in solidarity with the people of Nigeria in defence of justice and good governance.

He also claimed that the group is not against the inauguration of the President-elect on May 29.

“We are urging the judiciary to listen to all the parties involved. We want them to consider the cases on its merit, we want judgement to be based on merit so that after the judgement we will not go back again into violence or other forms of separation or some people feel marginalised.

“We want to raise a new consciousness in Nigeria, we want an egalitarian Nigeria, a Nigeria that is pragmatic in nature, where things are judged on merit and we are urging the judiciary to be above board,” he said.