CUPP can’t dictate to us – S/Court

The Supreme Court has criticised allegations by the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) over the composition of the panel for the presidential election petitions appeal. CUPP spokesman, Imo Ugochinyere, had alleged a plot to abandon seniority in the composition of the panel for the presidential petition appeals by the PDP and its candidate, Atiku […]

The Supreme Court has criticised allegations by the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) over the composition of the panel for the presidential election petitions appeal.

CUPP spokesman, Imo Ugochinyere, had alleged a plot to abandon seniority in the composition of the panel for the presidential petition appeals by the PDP and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, against the election of President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC.

In a statement by the Director of Press and Information, Dr. Festus Akande, on Monday, the Supreme Court said the issue of the constitution of any panel to sit on a matter in the court “is the sole prerogative of the Supreme Court and it is never an issue for the court to debate on the television or pages of newspapers.”

The apex court, therefore, called on CUPP to put an end to what it termed “orchestrated falsehood and campaign of calumny”.

The apex court further said, “The CUPP’s action only amounts to naming a baby before it is born. We should be mindful of our utterances to avoid inflicting a devastating harm on the nation. This exhibition of unbridled utterances and prevarication will only endanger the progress and cohesiveness of our country. The Supreme Court has been entertaining presidential election appeals over the decades, but the unnecessary hysteria and superlative drama being woven around this particular one calls for caution and moderation.