The Nigerian Supreme Court has adjourned ruling on the appeals challenging the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the February 25 election.
Follow the September 6 ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Court in favour of President Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the outcome of the February 25 polls, his opponents, Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi of the Labour Party and the Allied Peoples Movement moved the battle to the Supreme Court to decide their fate.
The 7-member panel of the apex court led by Justice John Okoro on Monday, adjourned the matter after the arguments of counsels of respective parties.
Other members of the panel are Mohammed Lawal Garba, Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, Ibrahim Musa Saulawa, Tijjani Abubakar, Adamu Jauro, and Emmanuel Akomaye Agim.
Announcing the adjournment, Justice Okoro stated: “This appeal is reserved for judgement until a date to be communicated to parties.”
The parties expect favourable ruling. Atiku Obi, and APM had filed separate appeals at the apex court seeking to nullify the election of President Tinubu. They faulted the verdict of the Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC, which affirmed Tinubu’s election.
APM counsel, Chukwuma Umeh, filed an application to withdraw the party’s appeal after the Supreme Court denied their motion to nullify Tinubu’s election.
Atiku had also filed an application for permission to tender a copy of Tinubu’s academic records released by the Chicago State University (CSU), USA, to prove that Tinubu forged the certificate he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This move by Atiku had in the past few weeks generated reactions from different quarters.
The request made by Atiku to provide new proof on alleged falsified papers was also debated by lawyers representing the parties before the Supreme Court.
Atiku Abubakar’s attorney, Mr. Chris Uche, pleaded with the court to approve the motion, accept their appeal, grant the requested pleas, and disqualify Tinubu.
The respondents through their counsels- Abubakar Mahmoud, representing INEC, Wole Olanipekun, President Tinubu, and Akin Olujinmi, for the All Progressives Congress (APC), pleaded with the court to reject the motion and appeal on the grounds that it lacks merit.
Nigerians eagerly await the ruling of the apex court on the outcome of the February 25 presidential election.
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