Toba Owojaiye Reporting
In a recent development, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has appointed a seven-member panel of justices to adjudicate on the appeals brought forth by three presidential candidates contesting the results of the February 25 election and the subsequent dismissal of their petitions by the tribunal.
The candidates in question are Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), and Chichi Ojei of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
The notices for the upcoming hearings were officially served on the candidates and subsequently shared with the media. According to the notices, the Supreme Court cited Order 2 Rule 1(2) of the Supreme Court’s Rules 1985 as the basis for deeming the notice as adequately served on the concerned parties.
The distinguished panel of justices who will preside over these appeals comprises Musa Dattijo Muhammad, Uwani Musa Abba Aji, Lawal Garba, Helen M. Ogunwumiju, I.N. Saulawa, Tijjani Abubakar, and Emmanuel Agim.
Atiku Abubakar’s appeal centers on the alleged errors made by the Presidential Election Petitions Court in dismissing his petition. He contends that the court wrongly dismissed his petition on various grounds, including irregularities in the presidential election and other legal issues. Atiku has also sought permission to present academic records of his opponent, Tinubu, which he claims are forged.
Peter Obi, on the other hand, argues that the tribunal’s refusal to accept blurred results from 18,088 polling units constituted a miscarriage of justice.
Chichi Ojei of the APM has challenged the eligibility of Tinubu and his deputy, Kashim Shettima, for their respective offices, citing invalid nominations.
In response, Tinubu, represented by his counsel, Wole Olanipekun, has called Atiku’s petition an abuse of the court process and lacking in merit. He also dismissed Obi’s petition as a “jamboree” and urged its dismissal.
The Supreme Court is now tasked with delivering a final judgment on these appeals, with a deadline set for November 6, 2023. The outcome of these cases will undoubtedly have significant implications for Nigeria’s political landscape.