2023 Elections: Group knocks Tinubu, says, palliatives targeted at influencing tribunal decisions

A group operating under the aegis of The Good Citizens for Peace and Progress Initiative, GCPPI, has knocked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his announcement of palliatives, alleging that it is targeted at manipulating the judiciary and influencing tribunal decisions.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, President of the Group, Hon. Charles Darlington, said, President Tinubu having seen the massive fraud in the electoral processes currently at the tribunal, he is making attempt to compromise the tribunal decision for a rerun instead of outright disqualification of the presidential election.

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Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen, On behalf of Good Citizens for Peace and Progress Initiative (GCPPI) and also in consonance with the Nigerian people, I thank you members of the Press, for your dedication and diligence, in continuing to cover the unfolding timeline of the tragic 2023 Presidential and gubernatorial Election.

It is fair to say, that so many of our national problems have been worsen, because we as a people, have not adequately risen to the challenge of effecting the right solutions, when they recur, to put them permanently in check.

Given the extent of fraud, impunity, conspiracy, deceit, financial waste and democratic impediment, orchestrated and effected in the 2023 general election, and the increased interest, awareness and participation of our people in partnering practically, to bring genuine change to our country this time, it is imperative, that we as a people, do not again fall to the complacent hopelessness, that has aided recurrence and deterioration, but that we pursue the required rectification and legal correction required, to ensure that the will of the people, as expressed in the 2023 elections, are firmly and rightly, upheld.

While it is often said that government is a continuum, and the administrative formalities following the bizarre declarations by INEC, have been put in place, the election, today remains under legal contest, and cannot be concluded, until the legal processes have been rightly and judiciously exhausted.

There is no doubt that these 2023 elections, represent a significant and overwhelming watershed in our country’s electoral, political and development history, and that this time, the entire nation and the international community also, stand determined to ensure, that electoral fraud and the manipulation of the true will of the people, will not stand – as the foundation for bad governance in the past, had been concretized, by the acceptance of such illegality and conspiracy.

Having concluded the hearing stage, at the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja, the attention of the people and the international community remains transfixed on the judiciary, and with it, the expectation that the glaring wrongs, as documented by all Observer groups, local and international, will be corrected, for the good of the nation.

We commend, in particular, without equivocation, the courage, sense of focus and clarity of thought, expressed by various Election Observer groups, local and international, that were duly accredited to monitor the elections.

The Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, The United States National Democratic Institute (NDI) & International Republican Institute (IRI) Joint International Election Observer Mission, The European Union Election Observer Mission, Commonwealth Observer Group, The African Union AU, ECOWAS and all other regional and local Observers, all deserve commendation.

Their doggedness in field engagement, despite the onslaught of violence, inducement, manipulation and all manner of evil, as witnessed in the elections, will serve not only as an unbiased record of the tragic events, but as motivation for its logical conclusion and inevitable resolution, according to the will of the people.

In critically and broadly examining the independent reports of the various Observer missions, the consistency in their experiences and exposition, cannot be overlooked, as each and every Observer group, underlined the fact, that the elections fell short of citizen expectations, legal regulations and moral and international standards.

The BAT indirect way of bribing the judiciary with #35 billion through the national judicial council {CJN} is unacceptable as he has promised to distribute N500 billion as palliative to Nigerians. Out of this amount, N35 billion will be allocated to the National Judicial Council (NJC) through which might influence the decision of the judges at the tribunal.

The NJC is headed by Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola whom has been seen in a compromised manner {disguised as a sick woman on a wheel chair in an airport} Only Justice Ariwoola would know how to utilize the N35 billion. It is possible that it will be distributed among the Justices of the Supreme Court, potentially influencing their decisions in favor of a rerun instead of disqualification, especially with regards to the Presidential Election Petition.

As for the N8000 allocated to families for six months from the N500 billion, it could be seen as a form of vote buying in anticipation of a rerun which we as a nation is saying a very big capital NO to any Rerun giving that a huge amount of funds was invested in the 2023 election and can’t afford to go encourage such waist as we are yet to demand accountability on the 2023 general election.

The Nigerian judiciary should see our constitution as priority to end injustice and let justice be seen for a better Nigeria. And as matter of fact, God of the oppressed made a resounding statement through voices of concerned Nigerians, transcending tribal and religious affiliations to encourage citizens to come out and vote.”

The jettison of Section 134 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and sections 65 of the 2022 Electoral Act (as amended), respectively, to allege that Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, the INEC National Chairman, has committed treason and must be held accountable for the rape on Democracy, when he unilaterally ignored these references provisions of the attendant laws to the declaration of the winners of the just concluded 2023 presidential election, amidst objections by the electorates to wit widely affirmed voters disenfranchisement, intimidation, and harassment as well as mutilation of results at collation centers, as reported by Party agents and international observers, this making us a laughing stock in the global community today.

And despite voting over N300 billion for their office and EU gave INEC N17.94 billion for the conduct of transparent, credible, and inclusive 2023 general elections in Nigeria…At the End of the day, so many irregularities where seen at the Presidential and Gubernatorial Elections.

The Judiciary must be independent, impartial, and committed to upholding the rule of law as a beacon of justice and fairness, not a tool of political manipulation….And it will interest you to note that the just concluded 2023 General Election Is an “Eye Opener” and as INEC failed to subverted the will of the people as attested to by the European Union Observers report and other international observers report.

Judiciary must not emasculate from doing the right thing and let justice be seen and served as the two Holy Books of God {BIBIL and Quran} uses in court quoted :- “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, and please the widow’s cause,” (Isaiah 1:17). “O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives.

Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both.” [Quran, 4:135]The Judiciary should respect the people’s will according to the law and save Nigeria from collapsing as God says, “He has told you human, what is good and what the Lord requires from you: to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God.” Isaiah 30:18.God, the Exalted, commands the faithful to be “securers of justice” for God and witnesses for justice.

Quran 4:135.We wish to state categorically that, all Nigerians are interested in the outcome of the ongoing election petition tribunal; any attempt to subvert the will of the people can lead to people defending and standing upright against the injustice. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8).“O you who believe, be upright for God, and be bearers of witness with justice!” [Quran, 5:8]

Thank you all, while we await a transparent process free from external influence.

I remain my humble self Hon. Charles Darlington, PRESIDENT GCPPI.