The Supreme Court will today hear the appeals by Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi challenging the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Court, which affirmed President Bola Tinubu’s election.
Tinubu’s victory in the February 25 presidential poll is being challenged by the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party.
The opposition parties had earlier lost at the Presidential Election Petitions Court, where they first challenged Tinubu’s victory.
Displeased with the verdict of the PEPC, both parties and their candidates, Atiku Abubakar (PDP) and Peter Obi (LP), proceeded to the Supreme Court, which has fixed today for hearing.
Speaking on Sunday ahead of today’s hearing, the APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, told reporters the opposition would lose again.
He said, “We are expecting justice, and I know the Supreme Court Justices are just. They are going to look at the cases on merit. So, we are optimistic that justice is going to be done just as it was earlier (tribunal judgement).
“We are not expecting anything different from a just and fair ruling. Whatever the case, my confidence is in the judicial system of Nigeria. So, I am consoled that justice will be delivered, and whoever wins or loses should take it in good faith.
“But as a party, the APC is confident the Supreme Court is going to be just.”
But the PDP expressed optimism that the Supreme Court would sack Tinubu and declare Atiku the winner.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said in a statement on Sunday, “Nigerians and indeed the whole world look forward to the Supreme Court for justice in the hope that the court will apply the laws, including the express provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, and INEC Guidelines and Regulations, in delivering substantial justice in the matter.
“The earnest expectation of Nigerians and lovers of democracy across the world is that the Supreme Court will use this case to firmly validate the maxim that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man.
“Nigerians are, therefore, optimistic that the Supreme Court will dispense substantial justice according to the law and the facts in the appeal.”
Meanwhile, the Allied Peoples Movement also urged the Supreme Court to nullify the election of Tinubu, saying his running mate was not validly nominated.
According to the party, the placeholder nominated by the President, Ibrahim Masari, was not replaced within the 14 days stipulated by Section 33 of the Electoral Act.
The APM also said the tribunal was wrong to have held that the nomination and sponsorship of Tinubu and Kashim Shettima were APC internal affairs.
