The supreme court has dismissed the appeal filed by Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi against the election of President Bola Tinubu.
In a unanimous verdict delivered on Thursday, the court ruled that the appeal filed by Abubakar, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), lacked merit.
“On the whole, it is my view that there is no merit in this appeal,” Justice Inyang Okoro said.
Abubakar had sought to overturn the judgment of the presidential election petition tribunal which affirmed Tinubu’s election as president.
Abubakar had challenged Tinubu’s eligibility to contest the election.
He also challenged the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit election results electronically.
In the 35 grounds notice of appeal, he submitted that the tribunal’s findings were done with “grave errors and gross misrepresentation” which resulted in a miscarriage of justice.
In a separate application, Abubakar asked the court to grant him leave to file fresh evidence which he obtained from the Chicago State University (CSU) against Tinubu.
Abubakar had alleged that Tinubu’s academic records were fraught with discrepancies and forgeries.
At the court session on Monday, Chris Uche, counsel to Abubakar and the PDP, submitted that the issue involving Tinubu’s certificate is a “weighty, grave and constitutional” one, which the supreme court should admit as fresh evidence against President Tinubu.
Uche said the supreme court “has a duty” to look into the new evidence submitted and reach a decision by avoiding the issue of technicality.
Uwani Abba-Aji, the only female on the panel, agreed with the lead judgment.
Lawal Garba, another justice, agreed with the lead judgment. He said although the application by Abubakar for fresh evidence was “interesting”, the court is bound by the law.
In agreeing with the lead judgment, Ibrahim Tijani described Abubakar’s application for fresh evidence as “frivolous and vexatious” and dismissed the appeal.
Ibrahim Saulawa said the appeal was “grossly unmeritorious” and deserves to be dismissed.
Emmanuel Agim, the last justice, also dismissed the application and appeal.
Sodiq Yusuf is a trained media practitioner and journalist with considerable years of experience in print, broadcast, and digital journalism. His interests cover a wide range of causes in politics, governance, sports, community development, and good governance.
