The Supreme Court haa affirmed the election of Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s president in the 2023 general election.
Tinubu’s election was challenged by his two major opponents Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party.
Atiku and Obi asked the court to declare each of them the winner of the election and pleaded with the election tribunal to nullify the declaration of Tinubu’s election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as elected president. Both were dismissed and approached the Supreme Court.
At the Supreme Court, Atiku sought to present new evidence of alleged forgery against Tinubu but was dismissed on Thursday because the appeal was not part of the initial prayer at the tribunal and the duration for filing new evidence had elapsed.
Justice John Okoro said the appellants did not apply for an extension of time or apply to amend their appeal and introduce the issue of forgery and even if they did, it would not have been granted.
“The lower court which is bound by the provision of section 285 Sub 6 of the state constitution when seeking to hear election petitions has lost its jurisdiction, so we cannot look into it,” Justice said.
On the plea that Tinubu cannot be declared president for failing to win 25% of votes in the FCT, the Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Tribunal which ruled that Abuja/FCT should be treated as the 37th state in Nigeria for the purposes of calculating the two-thirds majority required for a presidential candidate to be declared the winner of an election.
Also, the Supreme Court ruled that the election of President Tinubu cannot be nullified because of failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit electronic result electronically.
“The unavailability of the iREV cannot be a ground for the nullification of the election,” Justice Okoro said. “The failure to transmit results to iREV did not affect the results of the election.”
The Supreme Court also dismissed an appeal by Obi to sack Tinubu over double nomination of vice president Kashim Shettima.
The justices said the matter had been addressed in a previous judgement by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court in May dismissed the suit filed by the PDP.
A five-member panel of the Supreme Court held that the PDP lacked locus-standi to institute the suit.
President Bola Tinubu, says the Supreme Court verdict on the Presidential Election petitions has energised and strengthened his commitment to continue to serve all Nigerians of all political persuasions, tribes, and faiths with honour and total respect for the diverse opinions and uniting values of all citizens.
President Tinubu stated this in a statement he signed and titled IT IS TIME FOR US TO BUILD OUR GREAT NATION TOGETHER.
In his reaction on Thursday to the Supreme Court verdict on the presidential election petitions filed by the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party, he challenged the ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.
President Tinubu said while the supreme court verdict laid to rest the discourse over who won the 2023 presidential election and met the constitutional requirements as laid out by law, he reiterated that his faith in Nigeria’s judiciary has never been in doubt.
He also said the judiciary demonstrated its unequivocal commitment to upholding the rule of law for the upliftment and defence of humanity.
The Nigerian Leader affirmed that the governing All Progressives Party had freely and fairly won the popular mandate of Nigerians, which led to his leadership of Nigeria.
The President added that the renewed hope agenda for a greater and more prosperous Nigeria has further gained momentum and will increase efforts to build a country that reflects our collective yearnings and aspirations.
President Tinubu also said Nigeria’s electoral jurisprudence and constitutional democracy are further consolidated and embedded more indelibly in national identity following the diligence and professionalism of the justices who presided over the matter.
“There is no doubt, with the profound judgement of today, that our electoral jurisprudence and constitutional democracy are further consolidated and embedded more indelibly in our national identity because of the diligence and undaunted professionalism of the Honourable Justices who presided over the matter.
“While the verdict of today has laid to rest the agitating discourse over who truly won the 2023 presidential election and met the constitutional requirements as laid out by law, I want to reiterate that my faith in our nation’s judiciary has never been shaken, not even for a moment, because I know that our hallowed courts of law will not fail to administer justice to all Nigerians in all matters and at all times. Despite the fusillade of pressure and attempts at intimidation by some political actors, the judiciary demonstrated its unequivocal commitment to upholding the rule of law for the upliftment and defence of humanity,” the President added.
President Tinubu appreciated Nigerians for the mandate to serve the country and promised to meet and exceed your expectations in service delivery and good governance.
IT IS TIME FOR US TO BUILD OUR GREAT NATION TOGETHER
I welcome the verdict of the Justice John I. Okoro-led Panel of the Supreme Court on the presidential election petitions filed by the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party, challenging the ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.
The court has done justice to all issues put up for consideration in the petitions on the merits of the law, without fear or favour.
There is no doubt, with the profound judgment of today, that our electoral jurisprudence and constitutional democracy are further consolidated and embedded more indelibly in our national identity because of the diligence and undaunted professionalism of the Honourable Justices who presided over the matter.
While the verdict of today has laid to rest the agitating discourse over who truly won the 2023 Presidential election and met the constitutional requirements as laid out by law, I want to reiterate that my faith in our nation’s judiciary has never been shaken, not even for a moment, because I know that our hallowed courts of law will not fail to administer justice to all Nigerians in all matters and at all times. Despite the fusillade of pressure and attempts at intimidation by some political actors, the judiciary demonstrated its unequivocal commitment to upholding the rule of law for the upliftment and defence of humanity.
It was affirmed once more today, that my party, the governing All Progressives Congress, had freely and fairly won the popular mandate of Nigerians, which has since given rise to my leadership of this great nation during a tumultuous period of unprecedented reforms in our history as a nation.
With deep gratitude to God Almighty, I solemnly and humbly accept today’s judicial victory with an intense sense of responsibility and a burning desire to meet the great challenges confronting our people.
The victory of today has further energised and strengthened my commitment to continue to serve all Nigerians of all political persuasions, tribes, and faiths, with honour and total respect for the diverse opinions and uniting values of our citizens.
Our Renewed Hope agenda for a greater and prosperous Nigeria has gained momentum. I will continue to work from morning to night, every single day, to build a country that meets our collective yearnings and aspirations.
We are all members of one household, and this moment demands that we continue to work and build our country together. The strength of our diversity and the great citizenship that binds us must now compel us forward in directing the energy of our people towards building a virile, stronger, united, and more prosperous country.
In the days and months ahead, I trust that the spirit of patriotism will be elevated to support our administration to improve the living conditions of Nigerians. I am prepared to welcome the contributions of all Nigerians to foster and strengthen our collective progress.
I send my immense gratitude to all Nigerians for the mandate to serve our country. I promise again to meet and exceed your expectations in service delivery and good governance, working with my team and trusting in the grace of God.
Former President, Muhammadu Buhari, says the decision to dismiss the appeals by Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party by the Supreme Court is a welcome relief to him and a majority of the citizens.
In a statement signed by his media assistant, Garba Shehu, President Buhari described the Supreme Court verdict as a reaffirmation of the will of the majority of the people against the determined will of a hard-fighting minority.
“Now that we have arrived at the last bus stop after a tortuous eight months of expensive legal journey, the nation deserves a break. The opposition has fought a good fight. Having now exhausted their rights as constitutionally allowed, they should take the hand of fellowship extended by the Tinubu/Shettima APC government.
“Let them allow the government to run their administration and the people to have the benefit of the promises the All Progressives Congress (APC) made.”
The former president expressed concern over the low voting percentage all over the country, especially in urban areas, and said this should change given the acceptance and vibrancy of democracy in Nigeria.
He wished the president and his team a successful term in office.
Meanwhile the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the Supreme Court verdict.
Speaker Abbas stated that the victory was not only for President Tinubu and the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress but also for all Nigerians.
The Supreme Court had on Thursday dismissed the appeals filed by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party, and their candidates, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.
The Speaker hailed the judiciary for remaining the last hope of the common man, noting that the judgment by the Supreme Court has further strengthened legal jurisprudence in Nigeria.
“I want to congratulate His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the affirmation of the mandate given to him by Nigerians at the Supreme Court. It is indeed a victory for democracy. The entire judicial process further confirms and solidifies the rule of law in our country.
“It is my sincere hope that the opponents, after exercising their constitutional rights to challenge the electoral victory up to the apex court in the land, will consider working with Mr. President to deliver his ‘Renewed Hope Agenda,’ aimed at addressing the pressing socio-economic and security issues affecting Nigerians.
“Let me restate that the House, under my leadership, and the 10th National Assembly by extension, is willing to legislatively assist the President Tinubu-led administration to make life easier, secure lives and property and create an enabling business environment in our dear country,” Hon Abbas said.
The National chairman of the ruling All progressives Congress (APC) has applauded the supreme court decision which upheld the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the presidential election
Reacting to the verdict of the apex court, Ganduje called on the presidential candidates of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, to allow Tinubu to complete his two-term tenure in 2031 before vying for the exalted seat of the country.
Ganduje said the judgment has laid to rest all claims by the opposition political parties that the votes at the presidential poll were manipulated in favour of President Tinubu.
Ganduje remarked that the outcome of the Supreme Court verdict would now pave the way for President Tinubu to concentrate on implementing the Renewed Hope mandate of the APC for the benefit of Nigerians.
Ganduje called on the presidential candidates of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, to bury their hatchets and join hands with President Tinubu to reposition the country towards sustainable growth and development.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us, it is our responsibility as patriots to pool our resources together to move the country forward. I congratulate both Atiku and Obi for their dogged fight in extending the frontiers of our democracy and law.
“This is democracy. Tinubu’s victory is another victory for democratic rule in the country. There is still room for both Obi and Atiku to actualize their presidential aspiration after the second term tenure of President Tinubu in 2031,” he noted.
Ganduje thereby called on Nigerians, irrespective of political leaning, to rally around the President to ensure that he delivers more dividends of democracy and move the country on the path of sustainable progress.