The Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja is set to deliver a critical judgment today on three petitions challenging President Bola Tinubu’s election victory.
According to the Premium Times, Mr. Tinubu, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), secured victory on February 25, but his victory faced opposition claims of election fraud, garnering international attention.
Three petitions, including two from key opposition candidates, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, challenge the credibility of his victory. A third petition comes from the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), which seeks to invalidate his candidacy due to the alleged double nomination of his running mate.
Atiku and Obi’s petitions focus on election and pre-election issues, challenging Tinubu’s qualifications, the legality of his running mate’s nomination, election integrity, and the vote spread used by INEC to declare Tinubu the winner.
They ask the court to either declare them winners or order a fresh election, barring the APC from participating. The APM doesn’t claim victory but seeks the cancellation of the APC’s votes due to the alleged double nomination, proposing Atiku as the winner.
The judgment’s significance extends beyond Nigeria; it will influence public confidence in the judiciary and INEC as the 2023 elections approach. Additionally, it could impact Tinubu’s position as chair of the West African regional body, ECOWAS.
The judgment arrives as Tinubu advocates for democratic rule across Africa, making it crucial in assessing his credibility as an African voice during a wave of disputed elections and coups on the continent.
The five-member panel, including Haruna Tsammani, will deliver the televised judgment. Atiku and Obi claim Tinubu was unqualified, citing academic record discrepancies and a past judicial indictment. They allege widespread vote suppression, manipulation, and result alterations favoring him.
INEC, Tinubu, and APC argue for dismissal, claiming wrong legal interpretations and a lack of evidence for alleged irregularities.
Vice President Kashim Shettima and several APC governors have arrived in court. The proceedings are set to begin, starting with Peter Obi’s case, followed by the APM’s challenge, and finally Atiku’s case.
The APM argues Vice President Shettima’s nomination violated electoral laws, seeking to void the APC’s votes and declare the next highest scorer the winner. The judgment holds immense importance, as it can reshape Nigeria’s political landscape and influence democratic ideals across Africa.
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