The Presidential Election Petitions Court has postponed the announcement of its ruling in the lawsuit brought forth by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). The APM has lodged a petition challenging the triumph of President Bola Tinubu from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the elections held on February 25th.
The petition put forward by the APM centers around their claim that the APC presidential ticket is invalid due to the alleged ineligibility of the Vice Presidential nominee, Kabiru Masari, who was later replaced by Kashim Shettima. The APM argues that the concept of a placeholder does not exist in the Constitution.
Following the adoption of the final written addresses by the respondents, who argued on legal grounds, urging the court to dismiss the petition as it lacks merit and should not have been filed in the first instance, the five-man panel has reserved judgment.
The court denied the party’s request for an adjournment after the petitioner’s counsel reported that certain necessary documents were not in their possession.
During the proceedings, the APM called Aisha Abubakar as its sole witness, who serves as the party’s Assistant Welfare Officer. She acknowledged being aware of the Supreme Court’s judgment on May 26, which dismissed the suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alleging double nomination against Kashim Shettima.
While undergoing cross-examination, Abubakar was asked to read specific sections of the certified true copy of the judgment. She admitted that she was unaware of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) publishing a notice of substitution for the Borno Central Senatorial District Candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC). Additionally, Abubakar conceded that Kabiru Masari did not participate in the Presidential Election but was merely a placeholder.
However, the panel stated that it would wait for Peter Obi and the Labour Party, as well as Atiku Abubakar and the PDP, to present their written addresses before determining the date for delivering the judgment.
Diamondhead (
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