Extensive security measures were in place at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal and various sensitive locations in Abuja on Tuesday, in anticipation of the judgment on the election petitions challenging President Bola Tinubu’s election, which was scheduled for Wednesday.
Supporters of Atiku Abubakar from the Peoples Democratic Party, Peter Obi from the Labour Party, and President Tinubu were eagerly awaiting the verdict, with online discussions sometimes turning confrontational, yet maintaining optimism about the outcome favoring their candidates.
In anticipation of potential unrest following the judgment, a significant number of armed riot policemen, members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and undercover security personnel were strategically deployed throughout the Federal Capital Territory.
The tribunal’s Chairman, Justice Haruna Tsammani, and other panel members, including Justices Stephen Adah, Monsurat Bolaji-Yusuf, Moses Ugo, and Abba Mohammed, are set to deliver the judgment at the Court of Appeal in the Three Arms Zone of Abuja.
The Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal headquarters, Umar Bangari, had earlier announced that the tribunal’s verdict would be broadcasted live on television to promote transparency and allow Nigerians to observe the proceedings.
To recap, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, declared President Tinubu the winner of the February 25 presidential election, with Atiku scoring 6.9 million votes, Obi polling 6.1 million, and 15 other candidates participating.
Nevertheless, five of the 18 political parties involved contested the election’s outcome.
Prior to the judgment, extensive security deployments were carried out across the FCT, with police vehicles barricading the Court of Appeal’s entrance and police patrols visible throughout the city.
Security measures also included potential frisking of lawyers and litigants entering the courtroom and tightly controlled access to the premises.
Agents were stationed at strategic locations across the city, and major roads leading to the Court of Appeal were slated for police barricades.
The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, issued orders to police commands and formations nationwide to secure potential hotspots, especially in Abuja and Lagos, as concerns grew about possible protests or violence after the judgment.
To prepare for potential post-judgment scenarios, the police had deployed personnel and equipment covertly across the nation, with a focus on preventing any unrest.
The Nigeria Police Force emphasized its commitment to maintaining order while respecting citizens’ rights and freedoms.
They cautioned against incitement of violence and called for a peaceful and secure environment during this critical period.
Meanwhile, supporters of Atiku and Obi expressed differing views, with some believing that a rerun election should only occur with compelling evidence, while others remained hopeful of their candidates reclaiming the mandate, emphasizing their determination for a “new Nigeria.”
