Military Issues Warning Ahead Of Presidential Election Tribunal’s Judgement On wednesday
In anticipation of the imminent judgement delivery by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja this Wednesday, both the military and police forces have unequivocally expressed their commitment to preventing any unlawful activities by potential troublemakers.
Tukur Gusau (Brig. General), the Director of Defence Information, warned those contemplating violent actions that day, urging them to abandon such plans.
Gusau emphasised that the Guards Brigade, Army Headquarters Garrison, and other security agencies were prepared to maintain peace and security, warning against any attempts to disrupt the proceedings. The police authorities have also heightened security measures across several states in anticipation of potential protests or demonstrations.
“We will continue to do our work, and if anybody wants to perpetrate any mayhem, we cannot fold our arms and be looking at them. We have to do our job.
‘’On the judgement day, we will maintain our normal vigilance with other security agencies. We can’t be doing our work and see somebody trying to unleash mayhem, and we keep quiet. So, why are we outside (on patrol),” Gusau said in a conversation with the Punch newspaper.
In a statement released on Monday, the tribunal disclosed its intention to announce the judgment on Wednesday regarding the petitions challenging the victory of Bola Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election, as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). It also promised to televise the proceedings on that day.
Regarding security measures for the judgement day, only accredited individuals, including counsel and representatives of political parties, will be granted access to the courtroom, with the public encouraged to watch proceedings on television for a smooth and secure process.
INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu declared Tinubu the president-elect on March 1, citing his party’s majority vote in the poll.
The tribunal’s justices presiding over the verdict include Chairman Justice Haruna Tsammani, Justice Stephen Adah of the Court of Appeal (Asaba Division), Justice Monsurat Bolaji-Yusuf of the Court of Appeal (Asaba Division), Justices Moses Ugo (Court of Appeal, Kano), and Abba Mohammed of the Ibadan Division of the Court of Appeal.