Verdicts and the Aftermath

Nigeria’s 2023 elections could be regarded as one of the most keenly contested elections in the nation’s history. The move from the traditional two-horse race to a three-horse race was peculiar. However, the conduct of the elections has been trailed by reports of irregularities, leading to contestants seeking redress from the courts. The process of seeking redress from the courts has also stirred up issues of the need for transparency in the request by parties to televise court proceedings. A request that was declined.

The build-up to the final verdicts has stirred tensions regarding the court’s verdict predictions, especially on social media. The decision of the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT) to broadcast proceedings has aroused suspicions amongst certain factions because a previous request for televising proceedings was declined. At the same time, this in itself is stirring discontent and suspicion.

Possibilities on the outcome and aftermath of the presidential poll verdicts range from peaceful protests to potential unrest. The 2020 End SARS protest is a case in point, with many commentators stating that it was hijacked to cause havoc. Essentially, the discontent of many Nigerians was projected through the protests, which turned violent and saw some infiltration of thugs escalating the situation. Some public figures have also stoked the masses to resort to any means necessary to protest a case of an unfavourable verdict. On the part of the security agents, the Department of State Services (DSS) has revealed plans by some politicians to stage violent protests, which indicates the need for heightened security in key areas to prevent anarchy. Therefore, there is a need to address such utterances upon robust investigation.

As the expectations and reactions of various factions on election tribunal verdicts may differ, there is a need for the judiciary to uphold the status of impartiality by dispensing justice without fear or favour. This could go a long way towards preventing the eruption of violent protests. It will also aid public trust in state institutions and the elections at a time when Nigeria continues to witness low voter turnout in its polls.

Beyond the verdicts, the Nigerian security forces often face drawing the lines between national security concerns and human rights violations. Several protests have turned violent, and cases of human rights abuses were recorded. The budding tensions around the court verdicts and ongoing projections on a protest point to security agencies’ role in maintaining law and order and upholding human rights. While both instances can be achieved, it requires broad-based efforts. First, while peaceful protests fall under the constitutional right of free assembly, there is a need for the conduct of protesters to fall under the constitutional limits of peaceful demonstrations. Second, there is a need for security agents to be on high alert and of professional conduct, as the verdicts are capable of stirring tensions in the polity. Therefore, caution should be taken in managing the tensions and possible protests, maintaining law and order, and upholding human rights.