As Nigerians eagerly anticipate the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT), controversies continue to emerge from various quarters.
The PEPT is currently hearing cases brought by Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) who are seeking to overturn the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
After the parties presented their final arguments, the tribunal adjourned the matter for judgement on a yet-to-be-determined date.
Leading up to the conclusion of arguments at the tribunal, a series of revealing and unsettling events have taken place, raising political awareness and consciousness among Nigerians who were previously uninterested in the political process.
With expectations and concerns growing daily, some Nigerians launched the campaign “All Eyes on the Judiciary.” The campaign initially gained traction on social media and soon billboards displaying the slogan were erected in major cities, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The objective of these billboards is to serve as a constant reminder to judges that Nigerians expect nothing less than justice from them. However, the Federal Government led by the APC did not approve of this move. It ordered the total removal of the billboards, claiming that their sponsors were blackmailing the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal. The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) was tasked with enforcing the removal and punishing violators.
In response to the government’s action, there has been a wave of criticisms and speculations, with many believing that the government has something to hide. Some argue that the government’s justification for the clampdown is flimsy and there must be more to it than meets the eye. Others see the billboards and their messages as a threat and blackmail against the judiciary and the judges.
One of the critics, Atiku Abubakar’s Special Assistant on Public Communications, Phrank Shaibu, described the government’s actions as evidence of President Tinubu’s authoritarianism and an assault on freedom of speech. He emphasized that the message “All Eyes on the Judiciary” should not be considered a threat to society but rather a call for justice and accountability. He questioned why Tinubu and the APC find this particular message upsetting, especially since they are also involved in the same court proceedings.
A human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, echoed Shaibu’s sentiments, stating that there is nothing inciting in the message on the billboards and warned against targeting anyone for it. He emphasized that freedom of expression is a constitutional right.
Reactions on social media have also been strong. Nigerians have expressed their displeasure at the removal of the billboards, vowing to continue displaying their support for the campaign through other means such as posters and stickers.
The sponsors of the billboards, represented by UC Maxwell, have asserted their constitutional right to free speech and expressed their refusal to be intimidated. They maintain that the message on the billboards does not interfere with the ongoing court proceedings and that holding the government accountable is every citizen’s duty.
However, not everyone agrees with the sponsors and their supporters. Chief Frank Kokori, a labor activist and former General Secretary of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, believes that the government was justified in clamping down on the billboards. He agrees with the government’s assertion that the sponsors were blackmailing the judiciary, emphasizing the sanctity of the legal system.
