The former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has cried out over a plot to undermine the nation’s judiciary and democracy.
He has, however, called on Nigerians to be vigilant and put the international community on the alert.
Atiku pointed out that since the conclusion of the presidential election in February and the attendant controversies following it, there had been unfortunate developments that had been saddening to many Nigerians.
In a statement by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku said that the presidential election that brought the current government into office was the worst in the annals of democratic politics in the country, even though it was promised to be the best ever.
“Consequently, the outcome of that election and the arbitrariness of the electoral umpire to declare a winner against the requirement of the law has been the reason Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of Nigeria (1999-2007) and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party and other parties in the election have chosen the patriotic path to challenge the outcome of that election.
“It is a truism that the judiciary is the only reasonable option in the quest for justice. As a matter of fact, our judiciary and the interpretations that they have given to our laws have been a major building block in our democratic journey so far.
“Our laws are very clear about the prerequisite of separation of powers as a guarantee of an independent judiciary,” he said.
The former Vice President explained that the idea behind that concept of an independent judiciary was to insulate that branch of government from unholy fraternity between its hallowed members and the rest of the society, especially the political actors.
“But, as proceedings on the controversial February 25 election continue at the court, there have been threats from the ruling party that aim to intimidate the judiciary from serving the duty of justice.
“It is regrettable that the APC and, indeed, agents of President Bola Tinubu have ceaselessly chosen to stand in the way of justice by making catastrophic threats to anarchy if justice is not served according to their whims.
“These and reports in the media about some heinous plots to harass justices sitting on the petition are ominous to peace and the security of our nation,” Atiku said.
He, however, appealed to all security agencies in the country to remain professional in the discharge of their duties and resist being used as an instrument of oppression and intimidation against the judiciary
