EMERITUS Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has said all eyes are on the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal to finish the job the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did ‘halfway’ during the February 25 election.
Speaking to journalists after a special mass to mark the 2023 World Communication Week of the Catholic Church at St. Gabriel’s Chaplaincy in Abuja on Sunday, the cleric called on the judiciary to find a way to allow live telecast of the petition tribunal, even though it had not been done before.
Onaiyekan stated that as the petition tribunal proceeds, Nigerians are waiting with bated breath to see what the outcome will be.
Onaiyekan said, “All eyes are on the court. We tried our best to vote; we were told to go to court. We are now in court. All eyes are on the court. We have trust in the court that they would finish the job that INEC did halfway.”
He, therefore, emphasised the importance of transparency in the process and argued that if witnesses had anything to say that people shouldn’t know, they shouldn’t be saying it.
“It is in the interest of the judiciary to allow the people to see what is happening, even if it means adjusting their rules.
“Voters don’t have the locus standi in court to challenge election outcomes. The matter is left to the candidates. That’s why it’s important that the court proceedings are seen live on TV,” Onaiyekan said.
