By Ayo Yusuf
As the Presidential Election Tribunal prepares to deliver judgment on the petitions challenging the election of President Bola Tinubu as the winner of the February 25th presidential election tomorrow, the Nigeria Police Force has increased its deployment of men and material across the country.
The Police said the action was aimed at fortifying the security architecture to forestall any breakdown of law and order after the delivery of the judgment.
A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi said, “The Police wish to reiterate the commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property before, during, and after the judgement.
“The NPF has diligently emplaced all necessary deployments and security measures during this critical period as officers and men are fully prepared to maintain order and enforce laws while respecting the rights and freedoms of all citizens.
“Furthermore, the NPF strongly cautions all individuals, including mischief makers and political gladiators, to be cautious in their actions and statements as the Force will not condone activities capable of inciting violence or causing a descent into anarchy.
“It is imperative for all citizens to embrace peace and maintain calm, regardless of their political affiliations, to ensure a peaceful and secure environment.
“The Nigeria Police Force is dedicated to its duty of protecting and serving the Nigerian people and is committed to carrying out these roles with professionalism, impartiality, and utmost dedication.
“Together, we can ensure a peaceful and secure environment for all during this period,” he said.
Tinubu Calm
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, on Monday, said President Bola Tinubu is “not worried” about the outcome of the judgement of the Presidential Election Tribunal on Wednesday.
“He’s not worried simply because he knows he won the election,” Ngelale said when he appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today anchored by Seun Okinbaloye.
President Tinubu, who left for New Delhi, India, on Monday night to attend the G-20 summit will be absent as the tribunal delivers its landmark judgment after weeks of hearings.
This comes hours after the registrar of the Court of Appeal, Umar Bangari, confirmed that the court had chosen Wednesday, September 6, to deliver judgment on the petitions challenging the election of President Bola Tinubu.
It would be recalled that on March 1, 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission announced Mr. Tinubu as the winner of the 2023 presidential election.
The former Lagos State Governor secured 8,794,726 votes to defeat Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, who garnered 6,984,520, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, who polled 6,101,533 votes.
Unsatisfied with the outcome, five political parties – the PDP, LP, Action Peoples Party, Allied Peoples Movement and the Action Alliance, filed separate petitions before the tribunal seeking to annul Tinubu’s victory.
