Ahead of today’s judgement by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja, there’s security beef-up within and around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, where the PEPT members are expected to rule on the petitions brought before them by some aggrieved presidential candidates.
The duo of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) and a few others had petitioned the PEPT over the declaration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the 2023 presidential election.
While Tinubu scored 8.8 million, Atiku polled 6.9 million and Obi 6.1 million votes.
And after months of exchange of legal fireworks, the PEPT is set to give its judgement, a development that has created some level of tension, especially within and around the FCT.
The PEPT, which has Justice Haruna Tsammani as Chairman, comprises of Justice Stephen Adah (Court of Appeal Asaba Division), Justice Monsurat Bolaji-Yusuf (Court of Appeal Asaba Division), Justices Moses Ugo (Court of Appeal Kano Division) and Abba Mohammed of the Ibadan Division of the Court of Appeal, as members.
And ahead of the judgement, the Department of State Services (DSS) Monday raised the alarm over alleged plan by some unnamed politicians to cause mayhem to discredit the federal government as well as the security agencies.
Similarly, the Defence Headquarters and the Nigeria Police Force warned troublemakers to stay off or face the full wrath of the law.
…Military checkpoints return
Blueprint observed that in a way, the ‘judgment day’ necessitated the return of some military checkpoints along the entry points into Abuja such as Zuba, Nyanya, Gwagwalada and Bwari.
For instance, before now, the traffic flow along the Mararaba-Nyanya axis had been smooth as there was no military checkpoint.
It was however observed that in the early hours of Tuesday, the checkpoint returned to the Karu Bridge, Nyanya – Mararaba road.
One of our correspondents, like a few other motorists, was stopped and his vehicle searched by military personnel.
It was further gathered that soldiers from the Guards Brigade of the Nigerian Army were stationed at the Nyanya axis to take charge.
Eye witnesses said the soldiers barricaded the road after Karu Bridge and before Kugbo, causing gridlock that stretched to Mararaba in Karu local government area of Nasarawa state.
Motorists plying the Abuja-Keffi expressway were left stranded in the traffic jam caused by the stop-and-search operation on vehicles by the military officers.
It was gathered that the soldiers restricted vehicular movement on the road to a single lane, thus causing gridlock.
Although civil servants and traders who work in Abuja and live outside the city centre in places such as Nyanya, Karu, Mararaba and Masaka had gone to work before the blockage, those who work in private organisations like hotels, supermarkets and private security outfits that run shifts, were stranded.
A witness who works in a hotel who simply identified himself as Jonathan said: “I am supposed to resume work by 2pm but I got to the office by 5pm. I was stuck in the gridlock for over 4 hours. One can be on a spot for about 40 minutes, and then it moves slowly and stops again.”
Although, as at the time of filing this report, no official reason was given by the military for the blockage, Blueprint, however, gathered that it might not be unconnected to the judgement of the PEPT to be delivered today.
…Apprehension over likely protest
Similarly, our findings revealed that a political movement was mobilising supporters of a particular presidential candidate for mass protest if the judgement didn’t go in their favour.
To this end, the rumoured protest plan had forced some business owners in the Central Area of the FCT to close their offices and shops earlier than expected.
One of our correspondents, who drove round the city and spoke with some residents, however noticed calmness without heavy deployment of security as at the time of this report.
A businessman in the Central Area, Chukwuemeka Alex, called on the government to deploy security personnel around Abuja to forestall possible breakdown of law and order after the judgement.
Alex said: “My concern is that some people may protest after the declaration of the judgement and those who may be the losers might want to protest, so I appeal to the government to prioritise our security and that of our businesses in the FCT.”
In her own response, a civil servant, who pleaded anonymity, said he heard of a planned protest by the ‘Obidient Movement’, a group loyal to the LP candidate if the judgement didn’t go in their favour.
The government worker said: “The ongoing strike by the Labour Union is a blessing for us because what we are hearing about planned protest by the Obidients is scaring.
“For me, I will stay away from the city centre tomorrow and watch the development as its unfolds.”
Also, Elijah Iziogu, a resident of Karu, “As far as I am concerned, the election has been won and lost. So, in the interest of the country, those who lost should accept defeat and return to the drawing board to ensure the abetted outing at the next elections.
“Four years may seem long, but before you know it, we will be talking about another presidential election. It is only people who are alive that can run for office. So, they should just move on.”
Similarly, Alex Itodo, a civil servant, told our correspondent, “I can’t wait for the tribunal to stop sitting. It has been so stressful going to work when they are in session. The situation was made even worse with the deployment of soldiers.
“So, for the sake of peace and the unity of Nigeria as a country, I pray that there will be no unrest over the tribunal’s judgement. We are going through a lot on the economic front to add more to our troubles.”
…LP denies
But the LP National Publicity Secretary, Mr Obiora Ifoh, said he was not aware of any planned protest.
He, however, added that anybody dissatisfied with the judgement has a right to protest.
“I’m not aware of any impending protest but any Nigerian not satisfied by tomorrow’s judgement has right to protest,” he said.
…It’s prayer time for PDP
And as a mark of its determination to get the judgment in its favour, the Christian faithful who are PDP members, resorted to a 7-day prayer session which they rounded off Tuesday.
The session, held at the party’s national chapel in the PDP national secretariat, started at about 1.00pm and ended some minutes after 3.00pm.
Addressing the congregants, head of the PDP Christian body and former Adamawa state governor, Mr. Boni Haruna, copiously read from the scriptures to seek God’s intervention.
Reading from the book of Samuel 30 verses 1 to 8, the former governor urged party members and indeed Nigerians not to despair because the same God who restored all the Amalakites forcefully took from David in scriptures, was capable of restoring the party’s ‘stolen mandate.’
Addressing journalists after the session, Haruna, a staunch backer of the PDP presidential candidate, said: “Like in the days of the Amalekites and David, God will make it possible for the PDP to recover its mandate.
“Jesus Christ will make it possible for the party to recover and reconcile its members. It is only Jesus Christ that can bring restoration. We seek restoration to everything that have been lost.
“David sought God’s face and God instructed him and he recovered all that was taken away from him. PDP will recover what was taken from it. We need to reconcile with God.
“We will put this nation in the right place. There’s nothing that is lost that cannot be recovered, provided we commit that into the hand of God.”
Also speaking, the party’s director of publicity and coordinator of the body, Ms Chinwe Nnorom, said it was not a coincidence that the prayer session was coming to an end 24 hours before the tribunal’s verdict.
Police deploy, warn
Confirming the deployment of additional police officers to forestall breakdown of law and order as a result of the tribunal judgement, Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a press statement, Tuesday in Abuja, said: “In its bid to fortify security architecture and forestall any breakdown of law and order across the country as a result of the forthcoming Presidential Election Petition Tribunal Judgment scheduled to be passed on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has strengthened its deployment across the length and breadth of Nigeria.
“The Police wish to reiterate the commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property before, during, and after the judgement.
“The NPF has diligently emplaced all necessary deployments and security measures during this critical period as officers and men are fully prepared to maintain order and enforce laws while respecting the rights and freedoms of all citizens.
“Furthermore, the NPF strongly cautions all individuals, including mischief makers and political gladiators, to be cautious in their actions and statements as the Force will not condone activities capable of inciting violence or causing a descent into anarchy. “It is imperative for all citizens to embrace peace and maintain calm, regardless of their political affiliations, to ensure a peaceful and secure environment.
“The Nigeria Police Force is dedicated to its duty of protecting and serving the Nigerian people and is committed to carrying out these roles with professionalism, impartiality, and utmost dedication. Together, we can ensure a peaceful and secure environment for all during this period,” the statement mentions read.
