The Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) rendered a significant verdict today, September 6, with far-reaching consequences for the petition brought forth by Peter Obi and the Labour Party (LP) against the election of President Bola Tinubu. In a decisive move, the court invalidated the testimony of 10 out of the 13 witnesses enlisted by Obi and the LP, while concurrently dismissing the LP’s contentious claim of securing 25% of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) votes.
The court, presided over by Justice Haruna Tsammani, pronounced its judgment, underscoring a critical procedural shortcoming on the part of the petitioners. It was determined that the witnesses, who had been subpoenaed on behalf of the petitioners, failed to comply with the statutory requirement set forth in the Electoral Act 2022. Specifically, their written statements, which constituted their testimonies, were not submitted alongside the initial petition nor frontloaded within the stipulated 21-day window.
Furthermore, the court categorically rejected the submission of documents, including an analysis report, that had been tendered by the petitioners through the 10 witnesses whose testimonies were invalidated. This ruling underscores the court’s strict adherence to procedural rules governing electoral petitions.
In a further blow to the petitioners, the court scrutinized the status of some of the witnesses, revealing their direct vested interest in the case’s outcome. Moreover, the court underscored that certain reports tendered by these witnesses had been generated while the case was pending, thereby casting doubt on their authenticity and impartiality.
On the matter of the LP’s assertion that President Bola Tinubu failed to secure the requisite 25% of votes cast in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the court rendered a definitive judgment. It determined that FCT residents did not possess any unique privileges that could substantiate the LP’s claim. This dismissal dealt a significant blow to Peter Obi and the Labour Party, who had ardently argued for President Tinubu’s disqualification on these grounds.
The ruling emanated from a petition initially filed by the Labour Party, along with its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, challenging the legitimacy of President Bola Tinubu’s election. Their central argument rested on the contention that President Tinubu should be disqualified from assuming office due to his alleged failure to secure the requisite 25% of FCT votes.
In conclusion, the Presidential Election Petition Court’s decision on September 6 marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal battle over the legitimacy of President Bola Tinubu’s election. The court’s meticulous scrutiny of procedural irregularities and its steadfast adherence to electoral laws underscores the significance of compliance with established rules and regulations in the electoral process. Additionally, the dismissal of the LP’s 25% FCT votes claim highlights the court’s role in upholding the principles of fairness and equity in electoral disputes.