'There will be anarchy in Nigeria if you nullify my election' - Tinubu warns tribunal

President Bola Tinubu has cautioned the tribunal that nullifying the February 25 election that made him president will result in absurdity, chaos and anarchy.

According to Tinubu, his failure to gather 25% of the lawful votes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is not a good enough reason to overturn his victory.

Bola Tinubu presented his arguments in a final written address to the Presidential Election Petition Court (PREPEC), in response to two petitions filed by candidates from the Labour Party (LP) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the validity of his victory.

His lawyers, led by Wole Olanipekun said: “Any other interpretation different from this will lead to absurdity, chaos, anarchy and alteration of the very intention of the legislature."

The lawyers added: “Our courts have always adopted the purposeful approach to the interpretation of our Constitution, as exemplified in a host of decisions.

"Even if there was no election in one State (including the FCT), or even if the election of a State/States (including the FCT) is/are voided, the entire election cannot be voided or cancelled.

"In concluding our arguments on this issue, we urge the court to hold that any election where the electorate exercise their plebiscite, there is neither a ‘royal’ ballot nor ‘royal’ voter; and that residents of the FCT do not have any special voting right over residents of any other State of the federation, in a manner similar to the concepts of preferential shareholding in Company Law.

"We urge this court to resolve this issue against the petitioners and in favour of the respondent.”