Supreme Court Affirms Tinubu’s Election As President, Dismisses Atiku, Obi’s Appeals For Lacking In Merit

On Thursday, The Supreme Court upheld President Bola Tinubu’s victory in the February 25 presidential election.

The apex court in its unanimous ruling held that the appeal filed by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar and his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Peter Gregory Obi lacked merit.

“On the whole, having resolved all the issues against the appellant, it is my view that there is no merit in the appeal and it is hereby dismissed,” Justice Inyang Okoro said.

“The judgment of the court below delivered on September 6th 2023 affirming the election of the second respondent as the duly elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is hereby affirmed.”

Atiku and Obi had approached the court to overturn the judgment of the presidential election petition tribunal which affirmed Tinubu’s election as president.

According to the Supreme Court, Atiku did not present evidence to show they won the 2023 presidential election.

The Supreme Court said the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit election results electronically did not affect the outcome of the election and could not warrant the nullification of the result of the presidential election.

Okoro in the lead judgement also dismissed the issue of the 25 per cent requirement for Abuja, as a non-issue.

He agreed with the Appeal Court’s ruling, saying the FCT has no special status.

The Supreme Court therefore agreed with the appellate court that the 25 per cent claim by Obi and Atiku is immaterial.