Cardinal John Onaiyekan, the Catholic Bishop Emeritus of Abuja Archdiocese, has expressed his support for the live broadcast of proceedings at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) in Abuja. The PEPC is currently reviewing the legal challenge to the victory of President-elect Bola Tinubu. Cardinal Onaiyekan made these remarks during a press conference after the Sunday mass, which marked the conclusion of the 57th World Communication Week.

In his statement, Cardinal Onaiyekan emphasized the need for transparency in court proceedings, stating that a court is not meant to be a secretive gathering. He highlighted that the PEPC should allow live broadcasting of its proceedings, thereby enabling Nigerians to witness the process and maintain their faith in the judiciary. The request for live broadcast was filed by Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, and similar applications were submitted by the Peoples Democratic Party and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Cardinal Onaiyekan urged the judges at the PEPC to ensure fair judgment and transparency, emphasizing that the media should cover the proceedings comprehensively and relay accurate information to the public. He stressed the significance of public access to the tribunal, particularly in cases where elections are allegedly rigged.

Cardinal Onaiyekan noted that the impact of election manipulation is felt most strongly by ordinary citizens, who are unable to present their grievances in court due to the lack of standing. Consequently, the availability of live broadcast would enable citizens to at least observe the proceedings, providing them with confidence that justice is being served.

Expressing his concerns, Cardinal Onaiyekan highlighted the importance of openness, stating that the right to know what is happening inside the court should be upheld. He called for the PEPC to dispel any notion of secrecy and operate in a manner that fosters transparency. Cardinal Onaiyekan further questioned the need for witnesses to remain anonymous, as he believed that if information cannot be made public, it should not be presented in court in the first place.

While acknowledging that live broadcasting of court proceedings has not been the norm in Nigeria, Cardinal Onaiyekan appealed to the honorable justices to adapt to the changing times and embrace new practices. He emphasized that Nigeria must depart from its traditional approach if it desires progress and improvement. Cardinal Onaiyekan concluded by expressing his hope that the justices would adopt a more inclusive approach, allowing the public to witness the proceedings and restoring faith in the judiciary.