Abuja, May 29, 2023 – The APC Professionals Forum has reaffirmed its confidence in the capacity of Nigerian judiciary to dispense justice.
The Forum gave its vote of confidence following the Supreme Court’s decision striking out the suit seeking the disqualification of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, and Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima, over alleged double nomination.
Speaking through its legal committee, the forum said that the coast was now clear for the inauguration of Asiwaju Tinubu as Nigeria’s 16th President.
The Forum said this in a statement signed by its Chairman, Niyi Akintola, and Secretary, Vincent Essien, on Friday in Abuja.
It also expressed confidence that the election petition tribunals across the country will dispense justice.
“APC Professionals Forum’s Legal Committee reaffirms its full confidence in the capacity of the Nigerian judiciary to dispense justice in respect of all petitions before the various Election Petition Tribunal.
“The hearing of the petitions does not constitute any legal impairment to meeting the constitutional obligation to effect the requisite transition upon attainment of term limits by the exiting governments.
“We call on all Nigerians to see May 29 as yet another opportunity to renew our faith and commitment to the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria and our position as a leading democratic nation in Africa,” it said.
While rallying support for the incoming administration, the forum also urged the President-elect to keep to his promise of strengthening the judiciary.
“The re-election of our party at the centre is a challenge that places enormous obligations on all members of the party as we strive to justify this great responsibility.
“We specifically call on true members of the party to consider the supreme interest of the party and the need for the incoming government to speedily commence work to address the high expectations of millions of Nigerians, as we continue to express our pre-election differences and conflicts of interests.
“We hereby call on President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu to focus on strengthening the judiciary in line with the key points expounded in the Renewed Hope Agenda, especially with regards to strengthening the independence of the Judiciary, increased digitalisation of Federal Courts and ensuring adequate funding of the judiciary as reemphasised during his recent visit to Rivers State,” the forum said. (GBN)
