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Supreme Court Announce Judgment In Obi And Atiku’s Challenge Against Tinubu’s Presidential Victory

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The long-standing battle over the outcome of Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election is about to reach its climax.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court will deliver a momentous judgment in response to the appeals filed by Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on one side, and Peter Obi and the Labour Party (LP) on the other.

Their appeals challenge the court’s previous decision, which affirmed Bola Tinubu’s victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 25th poll.

The Supreme Court has officially informed the legal representatives of all parties involved that it will announce its verdict regarding the contested outcome of the 2023 presidential election on Thursday, October 26th, as reported by The Nation.

In a previous turn of events, the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPC) had dismissed the petitions of Atiku and Obi, stating that they lacked merit.

The PEPC confirmed Bola Tinubu’s election as President.

This decision led Atiku and Obi to appeal to the Supreme Court, where their cases were heard by a seven-member panel of justices led by Justice Inyang Okoro.

Atiku’s notice of appeal is founded on 35 substantial grounds.

He asserts that the PEPC’s judgment, delivered by Chairman Justice Haruna Tsammani, was erroneous in terms of legal interpretation.

According to Atiku’s lead counsel, Mr. Chris Uche, SAN, the PEPC’s judgment was a miscarriage of justice.

He contends that the lower court also erred in not annulling the presidential election on February 25th, citing non-compliance with the Electoral Act of 2022.

Atiku maintains that INEC conducted the election based on grave and gross misrepresentation, contrary to the principles of the Electoral Act 2022 and the doctrine of legitimate expectation.

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On the other hand, Peter Obi, represented by Mr. Levi Uzoukwu, SAN, also seeks to overturn the PEPC’s decision to dismiss his petition.

Uzoukwu implores the apex court to consider his client’s appeal and grant all the requested reliefs.

In response, the legal representatives of the respondents, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), President Tinubu, and the All Progressives Congress (APC), have called on the court to dismiss the appeals, citing a lack of merit and frivolity.

President Tinubu’s lawyer, Mr. Wole Olanipekun, SAN, characterizes Atiku’s appeal as abusive in nature and urges the court to reject it.

Similarly, Mr. Mahmoud Yakubu, SAN, representing INEC, and Mr. Akin Olujimi, counsel for the APC, have requested that the panel dismiss the appeals on the grounds of merit.

The panel of justices presiding over this significant case includes Justice Uwani Abaji, Justice Lawal Garba, Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, Justice Adamu Jauro, Justice Tijani Abubakar, and Justice Emma Agim.

In this high-stakes legal battle, the nation awaits the Supreme Court’s judgment, which will determine the course of Nigeria’s political landscape.

Politics

Criminalise Electoral Fraud, Yiaga Africa Urges FG

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A civil society organisation, Yiaga Africa, has urged the Federal Government to criminalise electoral fraud in order to sanitise the country’s electoral process.

The Executive Director of the CSO, Mr Samson Itodo, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja.

Itodo stated that practices such as vote buying, violence, thuggery, and result manipulation had constituted a serious hindrance to electing credible political representatives in Nigeria.

“What we are now seeing is people with purchasing power buying their way through during elections and the replacement of competence with mediocrity.

“Politicians now know the language of the people because they have weaponised poverty,” he said.

According to him, what the country now needs are stringent laws that will criminalise vote buying, thuggery, and other forms of electoral fraud.

Itodo said that the provisions in the Electoral Act currently address bribery and conspiracy, which are insufficient to tackle the menace.

“I think we need to clearly outline and define vote buying, and also prosecute the sponsors and their agents who are buying and selling votes.

“We also need to constantly reorientate people and explain to them why the politicians are buying votes,” he said.

The Executive Director said that if these measures were implemented and people used their votes wisely, it would ensure credibility in the country’s electoral process.

According to him, until the state begins to prosecute and jail those instigating and perpetrating violence, nothing will change.

“The majority of the political class want power at all costs and are willing to kill just to secure it.

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“One of the ‘sins’ they said Yiaga Africa committed was exposing these frauds. For me, if that is a sin, I shall commit it many times over.

“That way, people can hold them to account. But if we continue to allow our electoral process to be captured by political actors, we will get to a point where only one per cent of people will turn out to vote,” he added.

Itodo, while stressing the need for Nigerians to vote en masse during elections, said that the current level of voter turnout cannot bring about change.

“If Nigerians show up in large numbers, I bet you, they will determine the outcome of such elections. It is easier to rig an election when people don’t show up.

“If people show up and insist that the right thing be done, then it will be difficult for those people to manipulate the process,” he said.

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Umahi declares Ebonyi APC stronghold

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The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, declared on Saturday that there is no opposition party in Ebonyi aside from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Umahi stated this made during a grand civic reception held in his honour by the Okposi-Okwu in Ohaozara Local Government Area.

The event celebrated the minister for his quality leadership and contributions to national development.

He called on the South-East and the rest of Nigeria to show more support and solidarity for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“There is no opposition party in Ebonyi. Only APC exists. If you are bold, come and contest against us.

“We must support President Tinubu. I am happy to be honoured today. I accept it and will bring more infrastructure to Okposi-Okwu,” he said.

He dedicated the award to President Tinubu, who he said had changed the South-East’s political narrative.

“The greatest honour is continuous support for the president and commitment to complete projects in the region,” Umahi said.

He also encouraged all governors to unite in support of national development and progress.

The Chairman of the occasion, former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, praised Umahi as an illustrious and visionary son.

“Umahi remains a transformer in governance. I congratulate him and pray for greater achievements,” Anyim said.

In his address, Gov. Francis Nwifuru said the South-East owes a debt of gratitude to President Tinubu and must support him.

Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, also commended the community for recognising Umahi.

“I join the people of Okposi-Okwu in congratulating Umahi for his remarkable impact and exceptional leadership across Nigeria,” said Abiodun.

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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was attended by members of the National Assembly and other dignitaries. (NAN)

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Bauchi Deputy Governor’s Aide Denies Slapping Tuggar

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Muhammad Auwal Jatau, Bauchi deputy governor, has denied reports claiming that he slapped Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs, during a high-profile event in the state.

The alleged incident was said to have taken place on Friday inside a white coaster bus conveying dignitaries from Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa international airport to the Bauchi emir’s palace.

The dignitaries were en route to the turbaning of Mohammed Abubakar, a former governor of the state.

According to unverified reports, an argument broke out after the minister allegedly made disparaging comments about Bala Mohammed, Bauchi state governor.

Jatau was said to have slapped the minister in reaction, reportedly in the presence of Vice-President Kashim Shettima and other prominent figures.

But Muslim Lawal, spokesperson to the deputy governor, described the claim as “false and baseless”.

“No, no, no, how can the deputy governor slap the minister? I don’t think that ever happened in Bauchi because I know my principal is a responsible person,” he said.

“The number two person cannot slap a minister or whoever person that people are talking about. We are not even aware of that. I am just hearing this from you.”

Lawal questioned the credibility of the viral report and called on anyone with evidence to present it.

“Did you see the evidence of the slap? I didn’t see it, I’m just hearing about that from you,” he said.

“But my belief is that there is no way the deputy governor will slap a minister. I don’t think such can ever happen in Bauchi, not even my principal or whoever is in his position.”

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He said there was no reasonable provocation for such an act.

“What is even the issue that will make the deputy governor slap a minister?” he asked.

“I was not in the car and if there is any evidence that the deputy governor did such, maybe we can speak on that, but as of now, I don’t even know about it. That’s our position.

“And I don’t even think that the deputy governor, even if it is not in the presence of the vice-president, can do that.”

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