CSOs and opinion leaders demand live broadcast of presidential tribunal proceedings

CSOs and opinion leaders demand live televised broadcast to ensure transparency

By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor

Civil society organisations (CSOs) and opinion leaders have demanded live broadcast of the proceedings of election petition tribunals and for their judgments to be delivered before the swearing-in of election winners.

They asked Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Olukayode Ariwoola “to ensure that electoral cases in court are made truly public by ensuring TV coverage of proceedings.”

The group invited Nigerians to sign up for an appeal on comonvoiceng, a non-partisan platform built to enable citizens and consumers express their views on issues concerning their lives to government and corporations.

Anthony Kila, professor of strategy and development and CIAPS Centre Director, extended made the appeal in a statement.

“The recently concluded 2023 elections have left Nigeria in a very divisive state, with a significant part of the country considering the elections free and argue that elections results reflect the wishes of the people while another significant part of the country considers the elections highly flawed and considers the results unacceptable and that the dualism was causing a lot of tension in the country,” he said.

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Transparency to ensure justice

“As concerned citizens, we believe that one of the best ways to douse the tension in the country, restore unity and legitimise the incoming government is to make sure that all parts get a convincing, transparent and timely adjudication of electoral cases that will give all sides in the country a sense of clarity and justice that will bring an end to all ongoing controversies,” Kila added, per Vanguard.

“To this end, the group is appealing to the Chief Justice of Nigeria to use his discretion to ensure that electoral cases in court are made truly public by ensuring TV coverage of proceedings.

“Electoral cases in court are adjudicated before the swearing-in date of May 29, 2023.”

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN and Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Yakubu Maikyau are among others who have also called for live television broadcast of the proceedings of the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal.