Supreme Court of Nigeria in a highly politically charged legal battle, is poised to deliver its judgment on Thursday, October 26, 2023. The cases in question revolve around the controversial presidential election of February 25, 2023, which saw Bola Tinubu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), emerge victorious.
The opposition, represented by the Labour Party with its candidate Peter Obi and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with its candidate Atiku Abubakar, has mounted a spirited legal challenge, alleging electoral irregularities and forgery.
Supreme Court of Nigeria Swift Approach Raise Concerns
The Supreme Court of Nigeria‘s expedited judgment date has raised eyebrows within political and legal circles. The seven-member panel, led by Justice Inyang Okoro, announced this pivotal date after counsels for all parties adopted their briefs of argument and made final submissions.
Some critics argue that the rapidity of these proceedings does not bode well for Atiku Abubakar and his ability to prove forgery on Bola Tinubu’s certificate submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Atiku’s Burden of Proof and Its Daunting Nature
Atiku Abubakar and the PDP face a Herculean task in the Supreme Court, as the judiciary demands that they prove their case beyond a shadow of a doubt. The burden of proof becomes more challenging in light of the absence of any official declaration, whether in Nigeria or abroad, regarding the alleged forgery of Tinubu’s documents. Speculations in the public forum, it seems, may not hold water in the hallowed chambers of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Peter Obi’s Dilemma and the Lack of Substantive Challenge
For Peter Obi, the situation appears even bleaker. His third-place finish in the election has already cast doubts on the viability of his case. Additionally, Obi and the Labour Party have not convincingly challenged the legitimacy of Tinubu’s victory or his eligibility to run for the presidency. While Obi may have found resonance with his arguments in the public sphere, his legal team seems to have fallen short in the courtroom.
Fresh Evidence Motion and Varied Perspectives
In addition to the pivotal matters under consideration, the Supreme Court of Nigeria engaged in extensive deliberations regarding a motion brought forth by the legal team representing Atiku Abubakar. This motion sought to introduce newly discovered evidence concerning forged documents. The significance of this motion cannot be understated, as it forms the crux of Atiku’s appeal and carries the potential to result in the disqualification of Tinubu.
In the courtroom, Mr. Chris Uche, the legal counsel representing Atiku Abubakar, fervently implored the court to rule in favor of their motion and officially endorse their appeal. He underscored the crucial importance of disqualifying Tinubu. On the opposing side, the Respondents, which included Abubakar Mahmoud representing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Wole Olanipekun representing President Tinubu, and Akin Olujinmi representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), staunchly asserted that both the motion and the appeal lacked any substantive merit and should be summarily dismissed.
The entire nation is currently in anticipation of the forthcoming judgment from the Supreme Court of Nigeria concerning these crucial cases. This decision holds the promise of offering much-needed clarity with regards to the hotly debated 2023 presidential election and the intricate legal disputes surrounding it. Irrespective of the ultimate outcome, the verdict will undoubtedly carry profound and extensive ramifications for the landscape of Nigerian politics and the health of its democracy.
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