In the post-2023 general election series, I focused on the protracted and messy litigation of the presidential election, culminating in Atiku Abubakar’s attempt to obtain President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s academic records from the Chicago State University. I had warned that this was toxic politics taken too far, and that the whole certificate controversy would distract the President and weaken Nigeria’s international bargaining position.
In contributing to national debate, I do not witch-hunt. Robust opinions help avoid national mistakes and enrich our public discourse. The apex court has finally vindicated the position I have maintained since the matter began.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria’s dismissal of the appeals filed by former Vice President Atiku and former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, against the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the February 25, 2023 presidential election is a crushing defeat for the duo and a derision of toxic politics in Nigeria.
Despite the overwhelming evidence that they had lost the election fairly and squarely, Atiku and Obi refused to accept the results. Instead, they chose to embark on a futile legal challenge. This is a testament to their narrow interests approach to seeking political power and their unwillingness to put national interest first.
Atiku and Obi’s decision to appeal to the Supreme Court was widely seen as a waste of time and resources. This shows that they were more concerned with their personal political ambitions than with the interests of the country.
The Supreme Court’s ruling is a victory for democracy in Nigeria. It shows that no one is above the law and that the courts are independent and impartial. It also sends a clear message to politicians that they cannot simply refuse to accept the results of elections if they lose.
Atiku and Obi’s decision to appeal to the Supreme Court has subjected Nigeria and President Tinubu to harrowing humiliation. It also delayed the implementation of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which is designed to address the many challenges facing the country.
Now that the Supreme Court has delivered its final judgment, it is time for Nigerians to move on. We should all come together to support President Tinubu in his efforts to build a better Nigeria.
Atiku and Obi’s decision to appeal to the Supreme Court is a classic example of toxic politics. Toxic politics is a type of politics that is characterized by personal attacks, negative campaigns and a refusal to accept the results of elections.
Toxic politics is harmful to democracy because it undermines public trust in the political system and makes it difficult for governments to function effectively. It also discourages people from participating in the political process.
In the case of Nigeria, toxic politics has led to violence, instability and economic underdevelopment. It is time for Nigerian politicians to put national interest first. Now that the Supreme Court has delivered its final judgment in the presidential election case, it is time for Nigerians to unite behind President Tinubu and support his efforts to build a better Nigeria.
Nigeria is facing many challenges, such as poverty, insecurity, and corruption. These challenges can only be overcome if Nigerians work together.
President Tinubu has promised to implement a number of policies and programs to address the challenges facing Nigeria. He has also promised to unite the country, and promote peace and harmony.
Nigerians should give President Tinubu a chance to deliver on his promises. They should also support him in his efforts to unite the country and promote peace and harmony.
In a desperate attempt to deceive the Supreme Court, the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku, argued that Bola Tinubu submitted forged documents to INEC. However, Tinubu’s legal team was well-prepared and objected on the ground that Atiku’s plea had been made outside the 180-day time limit stipulated by law.
In his ruling on Thursday, Justice Inyang Okoro, chairman of the 7-man panel, dismissed Atiku’s plea, stating that the time allotted to election petitions is fixed like the “Rock of Gibraltar” and cannot be extended. He emphasized that the Supreme Court is not a Father Christmas and can only adjudicate based on compliance with relevant laws and procedures.
Justice Okoro further noted that the 180-day time limit is immutable and cannot be extended. He also pointed out that election petitions are sui generis, meaning that they have their own unique characteristics. He concluded that the lower court lost its jurisdiction to determine any matter concerning the petition after the 180-day time limit expired on September 17.
Atiku and his legal team had attempted to outsmart the Supreme Court justices by bringing the plea outside the time limit, but their efforts were unsuccessful. They cannot do what the lower court is no longer constitutionally allowed to do.
Additionally, Section 132(7) of the Electoral Act prohibits any amendments that introduce new facts not contained in the original election petition. The Supreme Court ruled that Atiku’s application clearly ran foul of this provision of the law.
The Supreme Court dismissed Atiku Abubakar’s plea to amend his election petition after the 180-day time limit had expired. The court held that the time limit is immutable and cannot be extended, and that Atiku’s application violated the Electoral Act.
Atiku’s appeal was dismissed for lack of merit. The court held that Atiku failed to prove that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not substantially comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 in the conduct of the election. The court also held that the alleged non-compliance did not substantially affect the outcome of the election.
Peter Obi’s appeal was dismissed because it raised substantially the same issues as Atiku’s appeal. The court also held that the only distinct issue that Obi raised in his appeal, which was the issue of the double nomination of Kashim Shettima as a vice-presidential candidate and a senatorial candidate, had been earlier resolved by the court and would not be allowed to be relitigated.
In my opinion, the seven Supreme Court justices have done substantial justice in this matter. It is time to put this behind us and move on. I sincerely hope that Atiku and Obi will be statesmanlike enough to congratulate Tinubu. However, if they still disagree with the judgment having exhausted their legal options, there is nothing they can do. But if they decide to go against the peace and order of the country, Nigeria has sufficient laws to bring them to justice.
Meanwhile, let me use this opportunity to congratulate Nigeria in its legal victory overturning an $11 billion damages bill involving the controversial Process & Industrial Developments (P&ID) deal. With Tinubu’s victory at the apex court in Nigeria, the legal victory in London is a double win for Nigeria, the United Kingdom court agreed that the collapsed gas processing project was procured by a campaign of bribery and fraud.
It is high time the new Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) C’chairman and Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) began prosecution of those fraudulently accumulating public funds before they develop new strategies for creating more difficulties for Nigerians by looting and stockpiling ill-gotten wealth and proceeds of corruption. There are high expectations for the Renewed Hope government of President Tinubu to work hard in the bid to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerian citizens now that toxic and regional politics is over with the Supreme Court judgement.
– Ibrahim is director, Communications and Strategic Planning, of the Presidential Support Committee (PSC).
