Prior to ruling on the LP and PDP’s petitions, the Tribunal rendered its decision on the APM’s petitions.
The Allied Peoples Movement (APM), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, as well as the Labour Party (LP) and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, had their petitions rejected by the Presidential Election Petitions Court after a marathon 12-hour ruling on Wednesday.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) president Bola Tinubu’s victory in the election on February 25, 2023 was contested in three petitions, which were dismissed by the Tribunal.
In addition to dismissing the aggregated petitions of the PDP, the APM, and the LP, the five-person panel, presided over by Justice Haruna Tsammani, also unequivocally reaffirmed Tinubu’s victory in the presidential election. Tinubu is a former governor of Lagos State.
This petition, as a result, lacks merit, stated Justice Tsammani. As the constitutionally elected leader of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I reaffirm Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s return to office. Costs are split between the parties.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja, where the Tribunal’s decision was given with much suspense, was broadcast live on television from 9 am until a few minutes after 9 pm.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima of the APC, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, and Julius Abure of LP were among the notable attendees at the hearing filled by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Obi and Atiku, who had attended earlier Tribunal proceedings, were noticeably absent from the courtroom on Wednesday. Away in India for the G-20 conference, Tinubu was also not present in court.
Prior to ruling on the LP and PDP’s petitions, the Tribunal rendered its decision on the APM’s petitions.
