The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has called for the arrest of Timi Frank for casting aspersion on members of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) ahead of their ruling on the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the election of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Frank,an ally of PDP Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, had in a statement claimed that some of the judges have been compromised by the executive and urged them to avoid ruling myopically and selfishly.
BMO said Timi’s statement constitutes a direct insult on the 5-member panel.
It said in a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke that the former member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) crossed the red line in his attempt to blackmail the judiciary.
“We have in recent days noticed a coordinated effort by PDP and its allies to arm twist members of the tribunal but Timi Frank’s choice of words is totally irresponsible.
“It would therefore not be out of place for us to call on the Police to act fast to prevent this organised mindless attempt to blackmail the judiciary without basis,” BMO added.
The group said it wondered how long the Judiciary would tolerate organised assault by PDP and its agent on its integrity especially on matters that are sub judice.
What Timi said:
He asked the judges to stand for honour as they prepare to give their verdict on the petition challenging the election of General Muhammadu Buhari.
He also called on the Justices not to base their ruling on sentiments, frivolities or technicalities as the issue at stake would tremendously affect the peace, security and wellbeing of the country should they choose to rule myopically and selfishly.
He said the judges cannot afford to fail Nigerians by ruling based on fear, intimidation and the overbearing influence of the executive, “they must strive to fearlessly and courageously contribute to the sustenance of the nation’s democracy, rule of law, good governance and the long term peace and prosperity of the country.
“As the Presidential Election Petition Court’s Justices are putting finishing touches to their judgment, I want them to know that Nigerians and the whole world are eagerly watching.
“The entire world knows the truth and what transpired during the last presidential election in Nigeria. From this judgment, Nigerians and the international community will know if indeed our judiciary is independent or a lackey and puppet of the executive.
“These Justices should know that their judgment can make or mar Nigeria. Therefore let them focus on the substance of the issues already canvassed and the incontrovertible evidence tendered before them as they write their judgements.
“I know this is not going to be easy but the Justices must step up and stand by the truth and give the right judgment as Nigerians are already aware that the panel is planning to use technicalities like in the Osun election case to rule in favour of the APC and Buhari.
“Little wonder that the APC is already boasting that the judgment will be 4-1 in their favour. How did the APC know a judgment that is yet to be given? Is it because they have bought over the Justices of the Appeal Court now about to deliver their ruling?
“These Justices must realize that Nigerians and the international community are watching to see what kind of technicality they intend to use and also to see if they will put the national interest above the parochial interest of the APC and General Buhari.
Even though Nigerians see most of them as having been heavily compromised and manipulated by the APC and the presidency to get favourable judgments, I urge them to stand up for Nigerians and not for selfish individual
“Nigerians are waiting to also see if they will succumb to the manifest and undue pressure being mounted against them by the agents of the executive irrespective of their sacred oath they have sworn to.”
“The Justices should also bear in mind that whatever judgment they give would definitely affect them and their families in one way or the other – now and in the future.
“I have credible information that the Justices are under enormous pressure to sway the imminent judgment in favour of Buhari and the APC. They must resist this pressure as the future of Nigeria is at stake.
“The ball is the court of the Justices to do the right thing as Nigerians have done their bit by casting their votes for their preferred candidates during the presidential election.
“The Justices must rise up and use this opportunity to write their names in gold. Even though Nigerians see most of them as having been heavily compromised and manipulated by the APC and the presidency to get favourable judgments, I urge them to stand up for Nigerians and not for selfish individual.”
