Anger, Indifference Trail Tribunal Judgement

By Uche Mbah

There was no jubilation following the Tribunal ruling that President Muhammadu Buhari was duly elected President of Nigeria by the Presidential Election Tribunal; instead, it has become the butt of jokes amid angry outbursts on the social media.

Recall that the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja had dismissed the petition filed by the presidential candidate of the Peoples democratic party, PDP, Atiku abubakar, striking out the petition “in its entirety”.

But there was no jubilation outside the court, as is usually the case with such electoral victories in court. Critics interpret this as meaning that Nigerians have resigned themselves to fate as they are disappointed with the ruling. Many insist that the Judiciary, the last hope of the common man has become gagged, and has become an appendage to the Executive.

“Now that the PDP petitions have been “stroked out”, by the judicial herdsmen,can we go back to South Africa??”, a Facebook commentator asked.President

Nigerians are being airlifted back from South Africa with reports of the South African Authorities preventing them from coming back.Certain points in the Judgement has elicited wisecrack from Nigerians. the assertion that President Buhari is an old man and cannot tell lies has received the most reactions.

But the Senate President has said that the Judgement has put a “Judicial seal” on the presidency of Buhari.

“This is the kind of judgement that leads to a revolution in a country”, says Buba Galadima.

Some opposition watchers insist that it is premature to say there is no celebration. According to them, it will not be long before the government rents crowds to celebrate.

“Even in the said VICTORY, there is no seeming excitement. We shall reap what we sow”, wrote Peter Osamgbi on his Facebook page.

On his own, Joachin Okhai wrote: “Jurisprudence in Nig. suffered its worst attack yesterday.
May posterity be unkind to Justice Garba, Abang et al.”