Supreme Court Set for Showdown: Atiku, Obi, and APM’s Appeal Heats Up
The Nigerian Supreme Court is gearing up for a high-stakes hearing, slated for Monday, October 23, 2023. What’s on the docket? Appeals by Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), respectively, and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
These appeals are a direct response to the Presidential Election Petition Court’s (PEPC) verdict handed down on September 6. At the time, the PEPC dismissed the petitions brought by Atiku/PDP, Obi/LP, and APM, deeming them unmeritorious and citing a lack of evidence to substantiate their claims.
What were they contesting, you ask? The outcome of the February 25 presidential election, which saw the Independent National Electoral Commission declare Bola Tinubu as the winner.
The Supreme Court Registrar, Zainab Garba, recently issued hearing notices to all parties involved. It’s official; the legal battle is about to escalate.
Atiku and the PDP, along with Obi and the LP, have mounted an exhaustive appeal, with Atiku’s camp presenting a staggering 35 grounds of appeal and Obi and his party following suit with a hefty 51-ground appeal. Their mission: to reverse the PEPC’s judgment and secure the reliefs outlined in their original petition.
On the other side, the APM, with a more concise 10-ground appeal, is primarily seeking to annul Tinubu’s election. Their argument hinges on the claim that Tinubu’s running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, was not validly nominated.
The heart of the matter is the PEPC’s unanimous verdict, which found the petitions unconvincing and unable to prove their cases beyond reasonable doubt.
For Atiku and the PDP, their case delves into the nitty-gritty of the electoral process, questioning the PEPC’s refusal to uphold the mandatory electronic transmission of results, introduced for transparency and integrity under the Electoral Act of 2022.
They argue that this technology is a crucial part of the election process, susceptible to manipulation and compromise.
Obi and the LP, for their part, dispute the PEPC’s assertion that their pleadings fell short of the requirements, given the vast number of polling units involved in their dispute.
The APM, meanwhile, contests the dismissal of its case against Tinubu’s election, asserting that it’s far from incompetent and addresses critical issues, not just pre-election matters.
This legal clash is a battle royale, pitting the country’s highest court against some of the most prominent figures in Nigerian politics.
The outcome could have profound implications, potentially altering the course of the nation’s political future.
As the Supreme Court prepares to take centre stage in this legal drama, political enthusiasts and legal eagles are on the edge of their seats.
This is more than a courtroom spectacle; it’s a testament to the rule of law and the power of the judicial system in a thriving democracy.
Stay tuned for the courtroom showdown that could shape the future of Nigerian politics. With its fair share of legal twists and political turns, this is one case that’s sure to make headlines and history.
Source: The Nation Newspaper
