Sept 11: Tension, Anxiety, Grip Nigeria Over Buhari, Atiku

By Gideon Njoku

In the United States of America, September 11 (9/11) is not a day Americans  remember with joy

To them, it is a black day, a day of doom – doomed. Evil.

It was the day in 2001, when Armageddon visited the world’s most powerful Nation.

It was the day the then world’s most notorious terrorist,  Osama Bin Laden, and his terrorist group,  Al Queda, threw hell on America.

Hijacking five commercial airplanes within the USA, his men slammed them on America and Americans. Thousands died, the highest number, at the World Trade Centre.

So on Wednesday, when Americans would solemnly mark the day, Nigeria, the world’s most populous black nation would be gripped by tension, anxiety and, may be, fear.

It is the date the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal has chosen to deliver the much awaited ruling on the petition filed by the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP), and its Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, against the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari, (APC), at the Presidential polls.

So tension is already high. Blood pressures are up. So are anxiety and expectations. And, even fear of the unknown grips many.

Not a few people say they would stay indoors on Wednesday. Schools have just resumed, but many parents insist their children will be home.

The delay in delivering the judgement became so worrisome that, at least, one national newspaper wrote an editorial asking that it be delivered.

Earlier, Atiku had called  for the judgement, so that an appeal,  in case the judgement does not favour him, will not be statue barred.

Both the APC and the PDP are confident of victory.

Announcing the date for judgement, in a release on Tuesday, Sa’adatu Kachalla, Court of Appeal’s Spokesperson said,

“Presidential Election Petition Tribunal:

Please be informed. Notice has been given for judgement to be delivered tomorrow,  September 11.”

Three petitions were filed against Buhari’s victory.  Two had since been dismissed, remaining only that of the PDP.

The party and its candidate not only challenged the President’s victory, it also challenged his educational qualifications.

In all, the PDP presented 62 witnesses, while Buhari presented seven winesses. INEC presented none.

Whichever party loses on Wednesday will, definitely, proceed to the Supreme Court,  the final

arbiter.

Time for judgement is 9.30am.

Five Court of Appeal Judges sat on the case.