Supreme court dismisses Obi’s appeal, affirms Tinubu’s election

The supreme court has dismissed the appeal of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the general election, against the victory of President Bola Tinubu.

Among other issues, Obi had alleged that Vice-President Kashim Shettima was guilty of double nomination, and as such, was not qualified to serve as running mate to Tinubu.

However, the supreme court said it cannot allow the matter of double nomination to be relitigated, having already issued a judgement on it.

“This matter ought not to have come here. When the matter was pending at the trial court, this court delivered judgement on it. This appeal lacks merit and is hereby dismissed,” the court ruled.

All seven members of the panel agreed that Obi’s petition was devoid of merit.

The apex court had, in May 2023, held that a political party cannot meddle in the affairs of another political party.

The court had ruled that Shettima was not guilty of double nomination.

VERDICT ON OTHER ISSUES

In total, there were seven issues in Obi’s appeal against the decision of the presidential election petition tribunal to affirm Tinubu’s victory.

Commenting on the other grounds for appeal, Inyang Okoro, head of the seven-member panel of judges, said issues 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 had already been dealt with in the ruling delivered in respect of Atiku Abubakar’s appeal.

The court had earlier dismissed the appeal of Abubakar, who was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“It is our decision that this appeal shall abide with the decision in that of Atiku,” the court held.

The court thereby upheld the decision of the tribunal which affirmed the election of Tinubu.