One of the lawyers on the team representing Alhaji Murtala Yakubu and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) at the Supreme Court in the Kogi State Governorship Election Appeal before it, Barrister Haruna Yusuf Esq, has cautioned the APC against blackmailing the learned Justices of the Apex Court with their hasty celebration over the alleged outcome of the case.

In his word of caution, he wrote,

"Stop The Blackmail.....No date yet from Supreme Court. For those blackmailing the Supreme Court, they should know that the rights of others start where their own stop.

In the matter before the Supreme Court of Nigeria; between Yakubu Murtala & 1or V. INEC & 2ors, it is on court records that the Appellants have filed their processes starting with the Notice of Appeal and the Brief of Arguments, same was served on all the Respondents. And up till now, none of the Respondents have filed anything as a response to the Appellants brief. They (Respondents) have till Friday this week to file their responses to the Appeal before the Supreme Court. I urge the public to disregard all speculative and propaganda tainted date of 16th, August being date for judgement."

The lawyer questioned the rationale behind the serial jubilation from the camp of the APC, calling it preemptive.

"How can a matter that has not been heard, have a sudden date of judgement, if not for evil machination? The antics of those who do not love Kogi, but love her money, will surely backfire soon. If and when all processes are filed by both parties, the court will give hearing notice to all parties to appear before it and adopt their brief, after the adoption, then, the case will be adjourned for judgement, which the date will be communicated to parties, through the lead counsel. So stop panicking and remain focused. All is well", he said.

It is worthy of note that premature celebration is characteristics of the APC in Kogi State, especially in the last few months. And going by the penchant of those superintending over the wealth of the State to procure anything at the expense of the general wellbeing of the people, the wide jubilation from their camp has become a thing of concern especially, as it looks reoccurring considering that the same camp celebrated prematurely the outcome of both the tribunal and Appeal Court judgements.

APC should stand firm and let the judiciary do its work. Premature celebrations are just noise; real victory comes when the verdict is out. The opposition loves to create narratives, but the truth will always prevail. Kogi deserves a government that prioritizes its people, not just political theatrics. Let's keep our eyes on the ball and trust the process!