…By Jack Sylva for TDPel Media.
The petition of the All Peoples Party (APP) against the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has been adjourned by the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal to Wednesday.
The APP is challenging the February 25 presidential election and is asking the tribunal to disqualify Tinubu for his alleged non-qualification to contest the election.
The APP and its presidential candidate, Simon Nnadi, have argued that INEC failed to comply with the provision of the Electoral Act, 2023, by non-transmission of results, which robbed them of their victory in the election.
They further claimed that the election was marred by corrupt practices and that the election results were compromised in nine states.
The APP also contends that the APC and Tinubu did not score the majority of lawful votes cast in the election, including the mandatory 25 per cent of the votes in the FCT.
APP has filed a pre-hearing application for the APC and Tinubu to concede the election before the matter, citing the weight of evidence at APP’s disposal showing Tinubu did not win the election.
However, lawyers to APC and Tinubu, Lateef Fagbemi and Wole Olanipekun, both Senior Advocates of Nigeria, have informed the tribunal that they will deal with the issues at the appropriate time.
The tribunal has fixed May 10 for the pre-hearing of the petition, and the APP’s challenge against Tinubu’s election is a critical one.
If the tribunal rules in favor of the APP, Tinubu’s election as President could be nullified, and a new election held.
However, if the tribunal dismisses the petition, Tinubu’s victory will be upheld.
The outcome of the petition could have a significant impact on the political landscape of Nigeria, given Tinubu’s role in Nigerian politics and his potential candidacy for the presidency in 2023.