The current persistent battering of senior Judicial officers poses a clear and present danger to the Judiciary, rule of law, our democracy and the nation in general.
Raising this advisory, the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) warned Nigerians to be mindful of the evil effects of the relentless assault on the image and integrity of senior Judicial officers, especially members of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT).
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, BMO warned Nigerians to be watchful and ensure they resist any move or antics from any quarter to undermine, intimidate, or harass Justices of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.
Zeroing in on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its Presidential candidate in the last election, Atiku Abubarkar, BMO called Nigerians’ attention to the various attacks, threats and intimidation against Justices sitting at the PEPT.
“This is disrespectful, offensive and a clear assault on the rule of law.
“On Social Media, PDP agents have gone to the extent of publishing the personal details, including the telephone numbers, of the Justices of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, with the intent of getting Nigerians, particularly PDP supporters to harass and intimidate these Justices.
“Some of Atiku’s social media agents have published threatening comments and called for the Justices to do the bidding of their principal. They have implied that they would unleash some sinister actions in the event their principal loses at the Tribunal.
“This is shameful and a desecration of our justice system. It is an attack on our democracy, and Nigerians must be wary of this, and call it out for what it is. It shows how desperate the PDP and Atiku have become, that they would go to any lengths to perverse a system in order to have their way.
“We must say however that this does not come to us as something new. These kinds of threats to members of the Judiciary is the usual style of the PDP. It characterised their days when they ran the affairs of the country. There was a preponderance of reports of members of the Judiciary who were either threatened, coerced or allegedly bribed to do their biddings.”
BMO then called on Nigerians not to “subscribe to, or be hoodwinked by this undemocratic and uncivilised manner the PDP has chosen to fight its course.
“Nigerians are urged not to become tools in the hands of these agents of darkness that the PDP and its allies have become, with its persecution of senior Judicial officers.
“It is most unfortunate that after the PDP’s candidate had lost woefully by almost 4 million votes, he chose to go to court to challenge the victory, only for him to resort to attacking Judicial officers by proxy.
“Seeking to stampede the Justices to give judgement in its favour is vile, irresponsible and morally wrong.
“Atiku, the PDP and their agents are hereby advised to stop being an embarrassment to Nigeria and democracy in general.”
The group also called on the Justices of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal not to be intimidated or shaken by these antics, noting that Nigerians would rally behind them.