Obi vs Tinubu: Supreme Court reserves judgement on presidential election appeal

The apex court of Nigeria has postponed its decision on the case brought by Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) candidate, who contested President Bola Tinubu’s win in the 2023 presidential election. The Supreme Court made this announcement on Monday, October 23, after listening to the arguments of the parties involved in the case.

Obi, who was the runner-up in the election, had taken his case to the Supreme Court after the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) rejected his petition and confirmed Tinubu’s election on September 6. Obi had claimed that the election was tainted by irregularities, violence, and violations of the Electoral Act.

Obi’s counsel, Livy Uzoukwu (SAN), appealed to the seven-man panel of the Supreme Court, headed by John Okoro, to grant his client’s case and overturn the PEPC judgement. He contended that the PEPC made mistakes in law and facts in endorsing Tinubu’s election.

On the other hand, Tinubu’s counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), requested the court throw out Obi’s case for being meritless. He asserted that Obi did not prove his claims beyond reasonable doubt and that Tinubu won the election fair and square.

The All Progressives Congress (APC), represented by Akin Olujinmi (SAN), also asked the court to sustain the PEPC judgement and validate Tinubu’s election. He said Obi’s case was trivial and unfounded.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), through its counsel, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), sided with Tinubu and the APC in opposing Obi’s case. He said INEC conducted the election in line with the law and that Obi had no grounds to challenge its outcome.

After hearing the submissions of the counsels, Okoro said: “This case is reserved for decision until a date to be communicated to parties.”

The date for the decision is expected to be announced soon. The result of the case will determine whether Tinubu will remain as Nigeria’s president or hand over to Obi.