Tribunal strikes out APC’s suit challenging Obi’s LP membership

In an ongoing judgment, the presidential election petition tribunal on Wednesday struck out the petition of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the eligibility of Peter Obi to contest the 2023 election under the Labour Party (LP)

The ruling APC had challenged Obi’s membership of the Labour Party (LP), declaring it incompetent.

Justice Abba Mohammed, a member of the five-member panel, while reading the lead judgment, held that membership in a political party is an internal affair.

Tinubu and Shettima had contended that they had the locus standi to institute the petition because Obi only joined the LP a few days before the election instead of the mandatory 30 days.

However, the court held that it was not the prerogative of Tinubu and Shettima to challenge Obi’s candidacy.

“The issue of membership of a political party is an internal party affair,” Mohammed said.