Nigeria’s Court of Appeal, the official election petition tribunal for the presidential elections, unanimously affirmed Bola Tinubu as the validly elected president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on Wednesday, 6th September 2023.
In a unanimous judgment, the 5 man panel led by Justice Haruna Tsammani, dismissed the petitions filed by Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP, Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic party PDP, and, the Allied Peoples Movemnt, APM.
Justice Tsammani, held that all the petitions were lacking in merit because the petitioners could not prove non-compliance, corrupt practices, and non-qualification against Tinubu.
He also expunged 37 exhibits tendered by the witnesses from the court’s records.
This petition accordingly lacks merit. I affirm the return of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the duly elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The parties are to bear their cost
Justice Haruna Tsammani
- Summary of Judgement
- President Bola Tinubu met the requisite academic qualifications to contest the presidential election.
- The petitioners failed to prove their claims on fraud against President Tinubu.
- Inability of INEC to transmit election in real time, does not depart from substantial compliance.
- Abuja does not enjoy special status to other states so no 2/3 votes required for a candidate to win compulsorily in Abuja.
- Kashim Shettima alleged double nomination lacks merit. Nomination is an internal party affair.
- Peter Obi’s nomination by LP is an internal party issue.
- Alleged forfeiture of $460,000 in the US was a civil case and not criminal.
Atiku and Obi can appeal to the country’s Supreme Court to strike down the tribunal’s ruling. Any appeal must be concluded within 60 days of the date of the tribunal judgment.
Story: Ihuoma Ukeje