Source: www.csw.org.uk
Date: September 5, 2023
Tomorrow, five appeal court judges in Nigeria will deliver a ruling on three challenges to Nigeria’s compromised elections. This is a critical ruling for a nation in crisis – please join us in prayer.
‘God calls the judges into his courtroom; He puts all the judges in the dock.’ (Psalm 82:1 MSG)
As many of you are aware, Bola Ahmed Tinubu was sworn in as Nigeria’s president this May, following a compromised electoral process, and as legal challenges to the declared result were still underway.
Yesterday the Chief Registrar of Nigeria’s Court of Appeal released a press statement alerting the nation – and the watching world – that the five judges on the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) would be delivering its judgement on the challenges to the declared election tomorrow (6 September).
During the tribunal, lawyers for the Peoples Democratic Party leader, the Labour Party leader, and the Allied Peoples Movement, highlighted Bola Tinubu’s failure to meet constitutional requirements. Among them were his inability to secure 25% of votes cast in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja); his drug trafficking conviction in the USA; and his lack of legitimate education certificates. The opposition parties also challenged the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to adhere to its own electoral law.
The makings of a perfect storm
On the same day as the PEPT’s judgement will be issued, university students plan to protest increased fees. It will also be the second day of a two-day strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) against the government’s failure to address the problems caused by the abrupt removal of the fuel subsidy at the end of May. The World Bank revealed around 4 million Nigerians fell into poverty in the first six months of 2023, and another 7.1 million will join them if targeted measures are not taken to address this.
Added to this economic crisis is a dire security situation, as Nigerian civilians are subjected to relentless acts of terror, including attacks on communities, abductions for ransom and extrajudicial killings.
On 19 August, eight National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members from Akwa Ibom State were abducted in Sokoto State. They are still in the hands of captors who are demanding 4 million Naira (almost £4,190) just for one of them. This week we also learned of the seemingly targeted attack on the home of the father of CSW Nigeria press officer on 3 September in which two 12-year-olds, Israel and Deborah, were abducted for ransom.
Official announcements in the lead-up to the judgement have also heightened concerns of official interference in the judicial process, and that an effort may now be under way to prevent anticipated protests. On 5 September, and in what many view as a veiled warning to any opposition to a ruling they increasingly view as a foregone conclusion, the Department for State Services (DSS) alleged it had identified – yet had not arrested – ‘ring leaders’ of plots it claimed to have uncovered ‘to stage violent protests in order to discredit the Federal Government and security agencies over sundry socio-economic matters.’
In summary, Nigeria’s current situation appears to have the makings of a perfect storm. A descent into failed statehood seems imminent. Its future trajectory will be set by the actions of the five appeal court judges.
Please pray:
- For the judges to cast aside fear, 'do justice', ignore any inducements, and uphold due process by ruling without bias and in accordance with the law.
- For the protection and swift return of the abducted eight NYSC members.
- For the swift return of Israel and Deborah, and protection for all CSW Nigeria staff members, volunteers and their families.
- That every source of terrorism, violence and injustice affecting Nigerian citizens would be brought to an end.
- That God would restore the fortunes of Nigeria (Psalm 124), freeing the nation from everything that has held it captive and caused this resource-rich nation to underachieve.
- That God would empower Nigeria to prosper once again, raising up leaders of integrity who will care for all of its people without bias and steward its common wealth wisely.