Nigeria's Opposition Candidates to Appeal Tribunal Ruling on Presidential Election

Abuja -- Nigeria's main opposition candidates, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, have announced their intention to appeal a tribunal ruling that affirmed Bola Tinubu's victory in the disputed presidential election held in February. The ruling, delivered by the Presidential Election Petition Court, dismissed the petitions filed by Abubakar and Obi, who had sought the cancellation of the election due to alleged irregularities.

Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, claimed that the election was marred by vote fraud and failures by the electoral agency. They accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of not posting the election results electronically, which they argued violated electoral laws. They also sought the disqualification of Bola Tinubu, the candidate of the ruling party, based on alleged non-compliance with the electoral guidelines.

The 11-hour judgment delivered by the tribunal affirmed Bola Tinubu's victory and dismissed the opposition candidates' petitions point-by-point. The dismissal of their claims follows a historical pattern in Nigeria, where no legal challenge to the outcome of a presidential election has succeeded since the country returned to democracy in 1999.

Livy Uzoukwu, the lawyer representing Peter Obi, stated that they would read the full judgment and proceed to file an appeal at the Supreme Court. Similarly, Chris Uche, the lead counsel for Atiku Abubakar, expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling and announced their decision to file an appeal as well. Both legal teams are determined to continue the fight and seek justice through the higher court.

An appeal at the Supreme Court must be filed within 14 days from the date of the tribunal ruling. Once filed, the apex court will have 60 days to hear the case and make its ruling. The outcome of the appeal will play a crucial role in determining the final resolution of the disputed presidential election.

The tribunal ruling and the subsequent appeals highlight the importance of the judicial process in resolving electoral disputes and upholding the principles of democracy in Nigeria. This case carries significant implications not only for the involved candidates but also for the country as a whole.

As the legal battle continues to unfold, Nigeria eagerly awaits the decision of the Supreme Court. The outcome of the appeal will have far-reaching consequences, shaping the political landscape and the trajectory of democracy in the nation.

Source of content: OOO News 2023-09-07 News

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