Group seeks live telecast of election tribunal
A group, Coalition of Civil Societies and Leaders of Thoughts, has appealed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola to allow for live telecast of election tribunals.
The coalition also sought the adjudication of all electoral cases before the inaguration of next government in 29th May 2023.
The appeal was made in a statement issued by the Director of CIAPS Centre, Prof. Anthony Killa, on behalf of the group on Sunday.
The group said that it observed that the 2023 general elections left Nigeria in a very divisive state with a significant part of the country considering the elections free and 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.
It said that such divisive argument is causing a lot of tension in the country.
The group also invited Nigerians to sign up an appeal on www.comonvoiceng.com, a non partisan platform built to enable citizens and consumers express their views on issues concerning their lives to governments and corporations
“As concerned citizens, we believe that one of the best ways to douse the tension in the country, restore unity and legitimize 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.
“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 29th May 2023,” the group said.
It would be recalled that a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana (SAN), had backed the proposals for the live telecast of the presidential election petition tribunal proceedings.
The President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Yakubu Maikyau, had also demanded the live broadcast of the tribunal’s proceedings.
Falana, who featured in a Channels Television’s programme, Sunday Politics, recently agreed with the NBA president, saying such action would improve the reputation of the judiciary and ensure a transparent process.
