Presidential tribunal: Heavy security as court delivers judgement today
The Court of Appeal Headquarters in Abuja is buzzing with tight security as the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) prepares to announce its judgment on three petitions challenging President Bola Tinubu’s tenure.
A significant deployment of heavily armed security personnel from various agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and the Nigeria Civil Defence and Security Corps (NSCDC), is evident at all entry points to the court.
Strict identity verification protocols, managed by the Department of State Services (DSS), are being enforced for everyone entering the premises.
The court has reiterated its commitment to admit only accredited individuals while instructing its staff members to stay at home.
However, an exception has been made for the live broadcast of the judgment on all three petitions.
This development follows the decision by the five-member panel led by Justice Haruna Tsammani to approve the cases for judgment, following the final arguments presented by all parties on August 1.
The three petitions (CA/PEPC/03/2023, CA/PEPC/05/2023, and CA/PEPC/04/2023) were filed by Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), respectively.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared President Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner of the presidential election held on February 25, with 8,794,726 votes, surpassing the major contenders, Alhaji Atiku of the PDP and Mr. Obi of the LP.
Dissatisfied with the outcome, both Atiku and Obi challenged the election results, alleging that they were the rightful winners and questioning Tinubu’s eligibility.
Their petitions seek to have the court declare that President Tinubu did not secure the majority of lawful votes and, alternatively, to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued by INEC.
They also propose the possibility of a fresh presidential election excluding President Tinubu, whom they argue was initially unqualified to participate.
As mandated by the Electoral Act 2022, candidates aggrieved by election results had 21 days to file their petitions, with the court required to deliver its written judgment within 180 days.
The court concluded the hearing of both Atiku and Obi’s petitions on July 5.
Mr. Obi presented 13 witnesses and numerous exhibits, while Atiku had 27 witnesses and supporting evidence.
INEC and President Tinubu defended their cases with a single witness each, while the APC opted not to produce any witnesses.
All respondents have collectively urged the court to dismiss the petitions, citing a lack of merit.
They argue that the petitioners failed to prove their allegations beyond a reasonable doubt, as required by the law.
President Tinubu, in his defense, maintains that his victory was valid and duly recognized by INEC.
