Atiku’s Aide Tackles Tinubu Over Veiled Threat to Judiciary in Democracy Day Speech

Atiku’s Aide Tackles Tinubu Over Veiled Threat to Judiciary in Democracy Day Speech

  • An aide to PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has sent a key message to Nigeria's president, Bola Tinubu
  • Phrank Shaibu, on Monday, June 12, urged Tinubu to allow the judiciary to be independent and not be intimidated by his government
  • Tinubu, in his Democracy Day speech, said illegal court orders used to truncate the country’s democracy would not be allowed; this was not well received by some elements in the country

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Phrank Shaibu, an aide to the presidential flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to intimidate the judicial arm of government.

During his Democracy Day speech on Monday, June 12, Tinubu said illegal court orders used to truncate the country’s democracy would not be allowed.

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June 12: How Tinubu became Abiola’s most faithful political soldier, Buhari's ex-minister speaks

Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, Judiciary
Atiku's aide says Tinubu’s veiled threat to Judiciary is a mockery of democracy. Photo credit: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar
Source: Facebook
“It has become imperative to state here that the unnecessary illegal orders used to truncate or abridge democracy will no longer be tolerated,” the president had said.

Atiku's aide slams Tinubu over democracy day speech

In a statement on Monday, Shaibu wondered if Tinubu was aiming at imposing a dictatorship rule on the country, The Cable reported.

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“What is an illegal court order?” he said.

He said it was funny that Tinubu, who had been one of the biggest beneficiaries of court orders, could turn around to threaten the judiciary now that he has found his way into power, Vanguard report added.

“Is it an order that Bola Tinubu finds unfavourable? Is it within his powers to determine what order to obey and which one to disregard?

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June 12: 7 important takeaways from President Tinubu’s Democracy Day speech

“If he is sure of electoral victory in the last election, then he should be confident and stop trying to intimidate the judiciary and compromise opposition politicians with appointments,” Shaibu added.

Democracy Day: President Bola Tinubu speaks on Atiku, Obi’s court cases

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday, June 12, said Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP)'s Peter Obi approached the court because they disagreed with the outcome of the 2023 presidential election.

President Tinubu stated that his two main opponents are taking full advantage of the constitutional provisions.

The Nigerian leader also declared democracy “the best form of government" invented by man.

2023 election: Atiku, Obi vs Tinubu

Atiku and Obi petitioned the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja, urging it to nullify Tinubu’s victory owing to alleged rampant malpractices during the conduct of the February presidential election.

Read also

June 12: Atiku attacks “enemies of democracy”, sends important message to Nigerians

They accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of manipulating the electronic process in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC's) Tinubu.

Atiku emerged second in the race, while LP’s Obi came third.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Esther Odili avatar

Esther Odili (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Esther Odili is a journalist and a Politics/Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng with 6+ years of experience. Before joining Legit.ng, Esther has worked with other reputable media houses, such as the New Telegraph newspaper and Galaxy Television. She Holds OND and HND in Mass Communication from NIJ, where she was recognized as the best student in print journalism in 2018. Email: esther.odili@corp.legit.ng.