Supreme Court Reserves Judgment in Atiku, Obi’s Appeals Against Tinubu.
In a high-stakes legal battle that has captured the nation’s attention, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has reserved judgment in the appeals filed by Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party.
The appeals seek to challenge the ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) and the election of President Bola Tinubu.
This pivotal development comes after the PEPC’s dismissal of the petitions filed by Atiku and Obi on September 6, citing a lack of merit and affirming the election of President Bola Tinubu.
The seven-man panel of justices presiding over the appeals, led by Justice Inyang Okoro, held a hearing on Monday in Abuja. They indicated that the date for the judgment would be communicated to the concerned parties, adding an air of suspense to an already significant legal showdown.
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Other eminent justices on the panel include Uwani Abaji, Lawal Garba, Ibrahim Saulawa, Adamu Jauro, Tijani Abubakar, and Emma Agim.
In Atiku Abubakar’s notice of appeal, consisting of 35 grounds, he raised concerns about the judgment rendered by the PEPC panel chairman, Justice Haruna Tsammani. Represented by his lead counsel, Chris Uche, SAN, Mr. Abubakar contended that the PEPC’s judgment constituted a miscarriage of justice.
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He also argued that the lower court had erred in its interpretation of the law by failing to nullify the presidential election held on February 25 on the grounds of non-compliance with the Electoral Act of 2022.
Specifically, Atiku Abubakar has urged the Supreme Court to set aside the entirety of the PEPC’s findings and conclusions, asserting that they did not accurately represent the substance of his petition.
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On the other hand, Peter Obi, represented by his lead counsel, Levi Uzoukwu, SAN, appealed to the apex court to overturn the PEPC’s judgment that dismissed his petition. Mr. Uzoukwu has urged the court to grant all the prayers sought in his client’s appeal.
In response, counsel representing the respondents, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), President Bola Tinubu, and the All Progressives Congress (APC), have vehemently urged the court to dismiss the appeals. They argue that the appeals lack merit and are frivolous.
As the nation eagerly awaits the Supreme Court’s judgment, the outcome of these appeals is poised to have far-reaching implications on the nation’s political landscape.
The judgment will not only determine the outcome of the 2023 presidential election but will also set a significant legal precedent in Nigeria’s electoral history.
Ejes Gist News gathered, the Supreme Court will deliver judgment on Obi/LP, Atiku/PDP vs. INEC, BAT/Shettima, and APC on Thursday, November 2, 2023.
The suspense continues as Nigerians watch with bated breath for the court’s final decision.
