Supreme Court Set to Deliver Verdict on Atiku and Obi’s Appeals Against Tinubu
The Supreme Court is poised to render its judgment on Thursday, October 26, 2023, in response to the appeals brought forth by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, as well as the Labour Party (LP) and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
These appeals challenge the decision of the Court of Appeal, which affirmed President Bola Tinubu’s victory in the February 25 presidential election.
On Monday, the apex court concluded its proceedings, reserving the judgment date for communication to the involved parties. However, on Wednesday, Dr. Festus Akande, the Director of Press and Information at the Supreme Court, officially confirmed the court’s decision to schedule October 26 as the date for the final judgment on these pivotal appeals.
Atiku Abubakar has not only contested the verdict of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) but has also sought permission to introduce President Tinubu’s academic records from Chicago State University (CSU), USA, alleging that these records suggest Tinubu presented a forged CSU certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Furthermore, the former vice president has filed a petition in a Washington, D.C. court to obtain documents related to President Tinubu’s $460,000 forfeiture case.
Simultaneously, the Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, are pursuing the annulment of the lower court’s judgment.
Dr. Livy Uzoukwu (SAN), the lead counsel for Obi and his party, has implored the Apex Court to consider their appeal and overturn the lower court’s decision. In contrast, legal representatives for INEC, Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and the APC, including Abubakar Mahmoud, Olanipekun, and Olujimi, have urged the court to dismiss the appeal, citing a lack of merit.