As the Supreme Court is set to pass its verdict on the March 18th, 2023 governorship election in Nasarawa state, women from Nasarawa state have appealed to the apex court to remain independent of external pressures and influence while delivering its judgements.
The group of women, representing various organisations and civil society groups, made this demand as they staged a protest where they raised placards with inscriptions such as “Justice Uninfluenced is Justice Served” and “Supreme Court of Justice is our hope of survival. Save us!” at the Unity Fountain on Thursday in Abuja.
One of the coordinators, Deaconess and Evangelist Lydia Cletus, who spoke on behalf of the women, maintained that the people of Nasarawa State came out en masse to cast their vote for their preferred candidate, adding that any judgement away from whom they’ve voted will not be accepted.
She urged the judiciary never to be blackmailed by the use of religion, stressing the need for fairness and justice.
She said, “We stand here before you with heavy hearts, urging and entreating every individual who values the principles of justice and fairness to lend their voices to safeguarding the sanctity of the judicial process.
“It is imperative that the upcoming Supreme Court verdict be devoid of any external pressures or undue influence. The decision rendered by the highest court in the land should reflect an impartial and unbiased examination of the facts and evidence presented before it
“We reiterate that our protest has always been peaceful, borne out of our unyielding belief in the power of peaceful civic engagement as a means to address societal grievances. We have abided by the laws of our land and exercised our constitutional rights in the manner required of responsible citizens.
“We humbly call upon all our fellow citizens to maintain a peaceful and respectful demeanour as we await the unfolding of events in the legal arena.
“Additionally, we urge the authorities to ensure transparency and openness in the handling of the case and the subsequent release of the verdict reflecting the popular vote. The people of Nasarawa State and the entire nation deserve to witness a legal process that is conducted with absolute integrity and transparency, free from any hint of impropriety or bias.
“Our mandate was stolen from us, and we refused to let it go unchallenged. We call on the Nigerian people to examine the evidence and see why we are so steadfast in our demand for justice. The reports from INEC clearly show why we cannot compromise or back down.
“We are not just protesting for ourselves. We represent widows, orphans, and vulnerable women who have suffered greatly in our society. We stand for all the women who have been silenced and oppressed. Our fight is their fight, and we will not stop until justice is served.
“It is time for the Supreme Court to show that it is truly the last hope of the common man. We urge the judges to resist any form of external pressure and to make their decision based on the merits of our case.
“We call on all Nigerians to stand with us in solidarity. This is not just about one election or one state. It is about the integrity of our democratic process and the rights of every citizen to have their voices heard.
“We stand resolutely united in our pursuit of justice, holding firm to the belief that the judiciary will rise above any potential external pressures and deliver a verdict that upholds the principles of fairness, justice, and the will of the people.
“We sincerely hope that our unwavering determination and commitment to the cause of justice will pave the way for a future where the voices of ordinary citizens—especially women—will be heard and respected in the democratic process.”
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