Wahab Shittu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, expressed strong disapproval of Peter Obi’s recent statement regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling on the presidential election petition.
Shittu made his reaction during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today program when he was asked to provide a legal perspective on Peter Obi’s comments, which suggested that the Supreme Court’s decision had eroded Nigerians’ trust and confidence in the judiciary.
Shittu began by acknowledging that Peter Obi is entitled to his opinion, but he firmly believed that Obi’s viewpoint, in contrast to that of many patriotic Nigerians who understand legal processes, was a significant disappointment.
Shittu emphasized the importance of respecting the rule of law and maintaining the independence and autonomy of the judiciary in a democratic tradition. He stressed that when the judiciary, especially the Apex Court, issues a final ruling after considering all sides of an issue, it should be upheld and respected.
As a democrat, Shittu expected Peter Obi to acknowledge the final decision of the Supreme Court, which is widely regarded as one of the finest in Africa. He noted that Obi’s statement did not align with democratic principles, emphasizing the importance of respecting the outcomes of the highest court in the land.
He said, “His (Peter Obi) statement is a very gross disappointment. My expectation is that Peter Obi professes to be a democrat, and if he profess to be a democrat, he should know that, there are certain fundamentals in a democratic tradition which include respect for the rule of law, and the independence and autonomy of the judiciary.
When the judiciary has made a final pronouncement, then the Apex Court adjudged as one of the best in Africa has considered all sides to an issue and pronounced. As a Democrat, the expectation one will expect from Peter Obi is that he should live up to that title as a democrat and respect that final outcome of the Supreme Court.”
