The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesome Wike; Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; and President Tinubu’s son, Seyi, are among the prominent politicians present at the Supreme Court for judgment in the two appeals contesting Tinubu’s election as President.
Also present are Umar Damagum, the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Julius Abure, his counterpart in the Labour Party (LP).
The Supreme Court informed the parties on Wednesday that it has finalized its judgments in the appeals filed by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Peter Obi of the LP.
This judgment comes after the apex court heard and reserved its decision in the two appeals seeking the annulment of Tinubu’s election, just three days ago.
It is anticipated that this judgment will mark the conclusion of the legal disputes surrounding the 2023 presidential election.
As a reminder, Justice John Okoro, leading a panel of seven Supreme Court justices, announced on Monday that the judgment had been reserved, shortly after the lawyers representing the parties in the appeal presented and argued their respective cases.
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“Judgment is reserved to a date that would be communicated to parties”, Justice Okoro had held.
However, a notice released to the concerned parties on Wednesday stated that the judgment has been scheduled for Thursday.
The notice, issued by one of the Registrars of the Supreme Court, Zainab Garba, stated, “Take notice that judgment will be delivered in the above-mentioned matter on Thursday, October 26, 2023, before the Supreme Court of Nigeria, sitting at Law Court District Area, Abuja.”
The two appeals set for judgment involve Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), as well as Mr. Peter Obi and the Labour Party (LP). During Monday’s proceedings, the apex court dismissed the third appeal filed by the Allied People’s Movement (APM) shortly after it was withdrawn by the party’s lead counsel, Mr. Chukwuma Machukwu-Ume, SAN.
Both Atiku and Obi are seeking the annulment of Tinubu’s victory on various grounds, including alleged malpractice, non-compliance with electoral laws, and corrupt practices, among others. Additionally, they argue that Tinubu should not have been on the February 25 presidential ballot due to alleged forgery and false statements under oath, among other reasons.