President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said ‘unnecessary’ court orders granted by Nigerian justices will no longer be tolerated under his watch.
Tinubu’s mandate is currently being challenged in court by two major opposition parties, the Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party, over incidences of irregularities and fraud.
Recently, Nigeria’s Supreme Court fined presidential candidate of Hope Democratic Party, Ambrose Owuru, N40 million for filing a frivolous suit to stop the inauguration of Mr. Tinubu.
Speaking in a national Democracy Day broadcast on Monday, June 12, President Tinubu said, “It has become imperative to state here that the unnecessary illegal orders used to truncate or abridge democracy will no longer be tolerated.”
The opposition parties had not reacted to the remark as at the time of filing this report.
The President said the recent harmonization of the retirement age for judicial officers is meant to strengthen the rule of law, which is a critical pillar of democracy. The reform has just started.
“Those who cannot endure and accept the pain of defeat in elections do not deserve the joy of victory when it is their turn to triumph. Above all, those who disagree with the outcome of the elections are taking full advantage of the constitutional provisions to seek redress in court and that is one of the reasons why democracy is still the best form of government invented by man,” he stated.
“We shall be faithful to truth. Faithful to equity. And faithful to justice. We shall exercise our authority and mandate to govern with fairness, respect for the rule of law, and commitment to always uphold the dignity of all our people,” Tinubu said while promising to stick to his campaign promise to his ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.
Mr Tinubu admitted that the recent decision to remove petrol subsidy will impose extra burden on the masses of Nigerians. “I feel your pain,” he said, stating that it one decision “we must bear to save our country from going under and take our resources away from the stranglehold of a few unpatriotic elements.”
Tinubu said his administration will repay Nigerians for the subsidy removal through massive investment in transportation infrastructure, education, regular power supply, healthcare and other public utilities that will improve the quality of lives.
He agreed that Nigeria’s common wealth is being pocketed by a few rich. It is not clear yet if his administration would develop the courage to fight Nigeria’s entrenched corruption.
The June 12 Democracy Day celebration is held to remember the annulment of Nigeria’s presidential election held in 1993 and was adjudged to be won by late Moshood Abiola. The election was annuled by former military dictator Ibrahim Babangida.
“The point is that we must never take this democracy for granted. We must forever jealously guard and protect it like a precious jewel,” Tinubu said in his broadcast on Monday morning.
He said for Chief MKO Abiola, the symbol of this day, in whose memory June 12 became a national holiday, democracy is eternal.
