The Supreme Court in Abuja has affirmed the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 Presidential Election, and dismissed the petitions filed by Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), respectively.
The Apex court affirmed the decision of the tribunal on Atiku and Obi’s appeal, saying that the lower court was right in its decision regarding the petitions filed by Atiku and Obi to thwart the victory of Tinubu at the last presidential election in Nigeria.
The panel that delivered the judgment was led by John Okoro. Other panelists are Uwani Aji, Mohammed Garba, Ibrahim Saulawa, Adamu Jauro, Abubakar Tijjani, and Emmanuel Agim.
The lead judgment was read by Justice Okoro, dismissing Atiku and Obi’s appeal and challenging the judgment of the presidential petition tribunal.
Aligning with Okoro, Salawa Ibrahim stated, “The application by Atiku is frivolous and vexatious and deserves to be dismissed. I find no merit in the appeal and dismiss, and I affirm the decision of the lower court.”
Agim said, “I agree with the reasoning if the decision the fresh evidence is not authentic stated by the authority before it was presented. It was not sealed or had the signature. It cannot be used in Nigeria without authentication. I agree with why. It was obvious to all including those that brought it. The FCT violates the Fundamental principle of the interpretation of the Constitution and it must be interpreted in a way that provides equality. The parties should bear their cost.”
While the court opined that the issues raised by Obi had been dealt with in the Atiku’s appeal, it noted that the issue of double nomination ought not to have been brought before the court.
