Court Delivers Verdict on 25% FCT, European Union Report in PEPT

Toba Owojaiye Reporting 

In a significant legal development, the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPTI) has rendered its verdict regarding the contentious issue of the 25% Federal Capital Territory (FCT) requirement in presidential elections.

The tribunal’s decision carries profound implications as it pertains to the petition filed by Peter Obi and the Labour Party (LP).

Firstly, the tribunal, presided over by a panel of Justices, unequivocally dismissed the petition put forth by Peter Obi and the LP. Their petition centered on the argument that the 25% FCT threshold for winning a presidential election should be altered.

However, the court ruled against them, asserting that FCT citizens do not hold any unique privileges in comparison to other states within the federation.

Additionally, the tribunal addressed the European Union’s report on the presidential election held on February 25th. This report was deemed inadmissible, as it was not presented by an official representative of the EU, the document’s author, or its custodian.

Furthermore, the tribunal rejected forensic analyses provided by three witnesses from the Labour Party. These analyses were disregarded due to concerns surrounding their timing and potential bias, as they could have benefited from the case’s outcome. This ruling underscores the tribunal’s commitment to ensuring fair and impartial judgments in matters of national significance.