Tribunal judgement: Don’t take law into your hands — CAN warns
By: Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna
Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) Kaduna state chapter has cautioned against the breakdown of law and order, following the judgement of the Presidential Election Tribunal Court on Wednesday.
The CAN Chairman, Kaduna State, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, gave the caution in a press statement issued to journalists in Kaduna on Wednesday, shortly after the Presidential Election Petition Court struck out numerous petitions against President Bola Tinubu and his Vice President, Kashim Shettima, for lack of merit.
According to Hayab, Nigerians must respect the judicial system for the interest of peace and harmonious coexistence of the country, rather than allowing themselves to be used as agent of destruction for selfish politicians.
Hayab admonished that, “Nigerians must not allow themselves to be used to divide the country based on political differences, but unite and work with the person the court rules in his favor to lead the affairs of the land for development to thrive in Nigeria
“We should, as Nigerians, respect the judicial system for the interest of peace and harmonious coexistence of the country. Nigerians must not allow themselves to be used to divide the country based on political differences, but unite and work with the person the court rules in his favor to lead the affairs of the land for development to thrive in Nigeria.
“Politicians come and go but the country remains. Therefore, we must think inward and not allow some selfish individuals to put the country into confusion that could lead to chaos that can result in a loss of lives and destruction of property, which could set the country backward instead of consolidating Nigeria’s progress.”
Rev Hayab urged that politicians and all Nigerians should accept the judgment of the tribunal, especially those the judgment did not go according to their expectations, adding that accepting the tribunal judgment and allowing the rule of law to take its course will consolidate the idea of the court as the hope of the common man.
“Since the tribunal has made her pronouncement, let’s keep politics aside for our country to move forward. Where there is a window to appeal the judgment, those who challenge the election results should explore such an avenue instead of a violent approach that may lead to chaos, loss of lives, and destruction of property.
“Our politicians must recognise the spirit of sportsmanship where there is always going to be a winner and a loser. Where one is not satisfied with the outcome of the tribunal, one is free to seek redress by using the court until justice is served instead of taking the law into their hands, causing arson leading to killing, maiming, and destruction.
“My candid advice is that we should embrace the reasonable way of resolving problems rather than being confrontational, leading to wanton destruction of lives and property. Nigerians must work as a family to resolve our differences to understand ourselves for a better tomorrow.
“The divisiveness in the country has caused Nigeria a lot of setbacks in all ramifications of life and, so, we should be cautious and not allow those who do not have the country at heart to cause undue confusion, using the slightest opportunity to accomplish their selfish goals.
“We should put the country first above our interests rather than split up the country based on political, religious, and sectional interests,” Rev Hayab advised.
“Patriotism is to let the rule of law take its full course, avoiding utterances or actions that can ridicule or undermine democratic principles,” he said.
