Nigeria Supreme Court Unanimously Dismisses Atiku and Obi’s Appeals: 2023 Election Results Upheld

Supreme Court Unanimously Dismisses Atiku and Obi’s Appeals

Nigerian Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the status quo by dismissing the appeals brought forth by former presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and that of Peter Obi, representing the Labour Party. This landmark judgment, delivered by Justice Okoro, reaffirms the integrity of the past 2023 Presidential Election and underscores the critical importance of adhering to established legal deadlines and presenting substantial evidence in election disputes.

New Evidence and Witnesses Beyond Statutory Deadline Rejected

A key aspect of the Supreme Court’s decision revolves around the rejection of new evidence and additional witnesses that were presented beyond the statutory deadline. The Court firmly emphasized that appeals are continuations of the original hearings, meaning that all evidence and witnesses must be submitted in a timely manner, as per the established legal process

Dismissal of Atiku’s Request to Add Tinubu’s Certificate Forgery Case

Another significant aspect of this ruling is the dismissal of Atiku’s request to include the case of the alleged forgery of a Chicago State University Certificate by Bola Tinubu. The Supreme Court has firmly asserted that it cannot accept new cases that were not presented during the Presidential Election Tribunal or at lower courts. This decision reaffirms the need for a fair and efficient legal process.

Burden of Proof Rests on Appellants in Election Disputes

Justice Okoro of the Supreme Court has underlined that the result declared by the returning officer in an election is presumed to be correct. Appellants who wish to dispute these results must provide concrete figures and substantial evidence to prove that the outcome was flawed. This reaffirms the importance of transparency and accountability in election processes and disputes.

INEC’s Non-Compliance with Electronic Transmission of Results Scrutinized

The Supreme Court’s decision also touched upon the issue of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its alleged non-compliance with the electronic transmission of election results. Justice Okoro has stated that the use of the IREV portal is not considered a collation system. To successfully challenge the results based on this issue, petitioners must not only identify non-compliance but also demonstrate how such non-compliance significantly impacted the election’s outcome. This places the onus on appellants to provide substantial and convincing arguments in election disputes.

Labour Party’s Lawyers’ Tardiness & Double Nomination Challenge Rejected

The proceedings of Peter Obi’s appeal brought a touch of light-heartedness to the courtroom, with Justice Light sharing jokes as he listed the names of the Labour Party’s lawyers. However, a vocal focus of the discussion was on what some considered the unseriousness of the Labour Party’s legal team due to their late arrival at the court. This incident highlighted the importance of punctuality and professionalism in the judicial process.

Peter Obi’s case, which concerned the alleged double nomination of Shettima, the running mate of Bola A. Tinubu, faced a swift and decisive judgment. The Supreme Court ruled that the case lacked merit and had previously been addressed by the court in the past. This decision underscores the importance of adherence to established legal precedents and prevents the re-litigation of issues already settled by the judiciary.

In summary, the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision to dismiss Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi’s appeals is a testament to the rigorous adherence to established legal procedures and deadlines in Nigeria’s electoral processes. The ruling reaffirms the need for election disputes to be based on substantial evidence and for transparency and accountability to be upheld at every stage of the electoral process. This landmark judgment sets a precedent for future electoral challenges and reaffirms the resilience of Nigeria’s democratic system.