The battles for Presidency continues today at the Supreme Court as Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi of Labour Party (LP) and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) challenge President Tinubu’s victory in the the February 25 presidential poll.
The Herald recalls that the opposition parties had earlier lost at the Presidential Election Petitions Court (PEPC) where they first challenged Tinubu’s victory.
Displeased with the verdict of the PEPC, opposition parties proceeded to the Supreme Court, which has fixed today for hearing.
Apart from faulting the verdict of the PEPC, Atiku also filed for permission to tender a copy of Tinubu’s academic records released by the Chicago State University, (CSU), which he said showed that Tinubu submitted a forged CSU certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC).
Atiku is also seeking to get a Washington, D.C. court to order the FBI to release documents on President Tinubu’s $460,000 forfeiture case.
Although, The Herald understands that President Tinubu, APC and INEC have since asked the apex court to dismiss the appeals which they said were lacking merit.
Opposition Will Lose Again – APC
Speaking on Sunday ahead of today’s hearing, the APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, told The PUNCH the opposition would lose again.
He said, “We are expecting justice and I know the Supreme Court Justices are just. They are going to look at the cases on merit. So, we are optimistic that justice is going to be done just as was done earlier on (tribunal judgment).
“We are not expecting anything different from a just and fair ruling. Whatever may be the case, my confidence is in the judicial system of Nigeria. So, I am consoled that justice will be delivered and whoever wins or loses should take it in good faith.
“But as a party, the APC is confident the Supreme Court is going to be just.”
Supreme Court Will Sack Tinubu This Time Around – PDP
Meanehile, the PDP has expressed optimism that the Supreme Court will sack Tinubu and declare Atiku as winner.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement on Sunday, said, “Nigerians and indeed the whole world look forward to the Supreme Court for justice in the hope that the court will apply the laws, including the express provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022 and INEC Guidelines and Regulations in delivering substantial justice in the matter.
“The earnest expectation of Nigerians and lovers of democracy across the world is that the Supreme Court will use this case to firmly validate the maxim that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man.
“Nigerians are, therefore, optimistic that the Supreme Court will dispense substantial justice according to the law and the facts in the appeal.”
APM Insists Tinubu Not Qualified To Run For President
In the same vein, the Allied Peoples Movement also urged the Supreme Court to nullify the election of Tinubu, saying his running mate was not validly nominated.
According to the party, the placeholder nominated by the President, Ibrahim Masari, was not replaced within the 14 days stipulated by Section 33 of the Electoral Act.
The APM also said the tribunal was wrong to have held that the nomination and sponsorship of Tinubu and Kashim Shettima were APC internal affairs.
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