Prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has attributed the surge in new voters during the 2023 general elections to the pervasive intimidation faced by the judiciary.
Falana conveyed his observations during an interview on Channels TV Politics.
He emphasized that the judiciary is currently confronting an unprecedented wave of blackmail and intimidation, particularly in anticipation of the forthcoming judgment by the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC), also known as the tribunal, scheduled to be delivered in Abuja on Wednesday.
Falana expressed, “Some of the people involved are voting for the first time, and they believe rightly or wrongly that their candidate must be declared the winner, and I think this is what is going on.”
He underscored that election petitions have been a part of Nigeria’s history since the colonial era but lamented that none have previously experienced such a high level of blackmail and intimidation targeting the judiciary.
Addressing the situation, Falana expressed concern about the misconception that the entire electoral process hinges solely on the judgment of the Court of Appeal and the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.
He clarified, “I am worried that people give the impression that everything ends with the judgement of the Court of Appeal, the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal. Any party that loses on Wednesday still has the opportunity to appeal to the Supreme Court. So, what is the basis for the cheap blackmail that is going on?”
Concluding his remarks, Falana urged judges not to be swayed by intimidation, emphasizing that they must uphold their duty to examine the evidence, apply the law, and deliver a decision based on their conviction.
He reassured that even in the face of election disputes, those who feel aggrieved by the judgment of the Court of Appeal have the option to seek redress at the Supreme Court, demonstrating any perceived errors in the appellate court’s decision.