God watching you, Kaigama tells election tribunal judges

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Ignatius Kaigama, on Sunday, called on Justices of the Supreme Court to do their work with the greatest sense of justice as God  is watching from above how they would dispense justice as litigants disappointed with the results of the general election head for the tribunal.

He also warned political leaders against fighting dirty, rigging or manipulating elections if their desire is to genuinely serve the common good.

Kaigama stated these in his homily delivered at St. Augustine’s Parish, Lugbe on Sunday.

He said, “I urge you to keep hope alive. We concluded our presidential and National Assembly elections last Saturday. Many people turned out and enthusiastically voted, believing that the transparency promised would be guaranteed. When it did not happen in all cases, as many felt that the process was compromised, many wanted street protests, but thanks to the maturity of the top contenders who called all to exercise caution and obedience to the laws of the land. We have yet survived together again as against those predicting doom.

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“We encouraged people to get registered, to obtain their voter cards, to go out and vote. They enthusiastically trooped out to vote but to their greatest chagrin, the process did not achieve the degree of transparency expected. Despite all, remain calm and peaceful. Those not satisfied with the results are heading to the courts.

“Let the courts do their work with the greatest sense of justice. God above is watching how the courts; the hope of the common man/woman will perform. The supreme judge of the ultimate tribunal is waiting for those who dispense justice with a sense of fairness or do so with great personal bias or get compromised because of some material reasons. Let justice be done. Let peace reign. May God protect Nigeria and all Nigerians.”

Kaigama urged Nigerians to avoid  inflammatory and provocative statements going around, adding that they should not be tired but come out again for the March 11 elections.

“Those who take over positions of leadership should only seek to add building blocks of cohesion and development rather than destroying past good legacies or to discontinue from them; to serve, and not to be served; to build and not to destroy; to bind and not to divide.

“For political leaders, there is no need to fight dirty, rig or manipulate elections if the desire is to genuinely serve the common good,” he added.

Meanwhile, a professor of Political Science at Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, Delta State, Robert Dode, has called on Justices of the Supreme Court, especially those to be involved in election petitions, to know that they would be deciding the future of their children and grandchildren.

This was as the don said the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and his team of National Commissioners should be held accountable for allegedly compromising the results of the February 25 presidential election.

Dode, in in a statement he issued on Sunday, said,“Finally, Justices of the Supreme Court, many of who are nearing the end of their career, that will preside over the presidential election dispute and indeed all other election matters arising from the 2023 elections, should note that it is the future of their own children and grandchildren that they are being called upon to decide and secure. It is not about the petitioners but about what a credible election should be for there to be peace in Nigeria.”