The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal filed by the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi challenging the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The seven-member panel of the apex court led by Inyang Okoro dismissed the appeal on the ground that the basis appeal lacked legal foundation.
The court also dismissed the allegation of double nomination of Kashim Shettima as vice-presidential candidate and a senatorial candidate in the February election, had been earlier resolved by the court and would not be allowed to be relitigated.
Earlier, the court had dismissed the appeal filed by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
The court held that Atiku’s argument that President Tinubu did not secure 25% of votes in the FCT has no basis in law since Tinubu already secured 25% in 24 states.
The court further held that Atiku was unable to prove his allegation of widespread rigging during the election or that he won the election
According to Justice Inyang Okoro while reading the judgement Tinubu won the election.
He said:
“I am unable to find any figures put forward by the appellant that he scored the majority votes, other than the figures declared by INEC declaring the second respondent (Tinubu) winner of the election.
The votes before us show that the second respondent Tinubu won the election.”
“the words of the court were not meant to disparage the appellant
“On the whole, having resolved all the issues against the appellant, I hold that there is no merit in this appeal and it hereby dismissed.”
He therefore, concluded that the judgement of the PEPC delivered on 6 Septemeber, affirming Mr Tinubu as the duly elected President of Nigeria “is hereby affirmed.”
