The applications of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi regarding the live broadcast of the Tribunal hearing have been vigorously rejected by the Independent National Electoral Commission, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the APC, who have characterized them as frivolous.
They contended that the application relates to the creation of court policy, which is outside the purview of the PEPC in its current structure.
The PDP and LP had stated that live television coverage of court proceedings would enhance fairness and dispel any worries regarding the judiciary’s transparency, while the APC contended that it would not progress the administration of justice.
Lateef Fagbemi, the attorney representing the APC, urged the court to refuse the plea to transform the proceedings into “a Big Brother electoral series.”
The counsel for Bola Tinubu, Wole Olanipekun, SAN, pointed out that the live broadcast, if approved, would put both the judges and the attorneys in danger. In contrast, the counsel for INEC, Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN, claimed that the application was unnecessary.
“The court is a public place and is accessible to all, subject to the availability of space.”
When the court heard the arguments from all parties, it postponed making a decision on the application until today, Monday.
However, speaking on the subject before the decision, Obi is arguing that the court proceedings should be broadcast live.
Through his media assistant, Emeka Obasi, Obi addressed the PUNCH news media and pleaded with the tribunal to grant his motion in the name of openness and democracy.
He said, “We are in the modern age where transparency is required. An election is being disputed by four political parties. To be fair and for equity, it is very much expected that processes are steamed live for people to follow. We are talking about over 200 million Nigerians. The courtroom cannot contain 1,000 people.
“Every interested Nigerian should be given the access to see for himself or herself the proceedings of the most important ruling in the history of the country. So, if we are practicing democracy, the tribunal has nothing other than to approve the live streaming.”
“The hope of the common man as the judiciary is seen to be the hope of the common man, especially now that the judiciary is seen also to be on trial.”
