Election Tribunal: APC calls for dismissal of 3 opposition petitions against Tinubu, gives reason

The ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) has called for the dismissal of three separate petitions filed by three opposition against Nigeria’s president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

As reported by the Punch newspaper, the APC prayed to the Presidential Election Petitions Court in Abuja for their appeal to be considered on some particular premise.

However, the three political parties, Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action People’s Party (APP) and Action Alliance (AA), filed the petition challenging the emergence of Tinubu as Nigeria’s president-elect.

It was gathered that the petition was filed on Sunday, April 9, at the PEPC’s Secretariat in Abuja by Thomas Ojo, a member of the party’s legal team led by Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

Reports confirm that the petition of AA was filed against INEC, APC, Tinubu and Hamza Al-Mustapha, its factional presidential candidate and former CSO to the late Gen. Sani Abacha.

Meanwhile, the petition of APM was filed against the president-elect and his running, Kabir Masari, who emerged as the placeholder running mate for Tinubu in the build-up to the APC primary polls. On the part of the APP, their petition was filed against INEC, APC and Tinubu, respectively.

The suit by AA, APM and APP marked CA/PEPC/01/2023, CA/PEPC/04/2023, and CA/PEPC/02/2023 are challenging the outcome of the presidential polls on the premise that there was a substantial non-compliance with the electoral laws as well as the INEC guidelines.

AA argued that its candidate, Solomon-David Okanigbuan, had been excluded from the election and on that premise, the election should be voided. Similarly, APM questioned Tinubu’s eligibility to contest the election.

The APM based their argument on the premise that Tinubu nominated two running mates in the build-up to the elections. These two running mates include Kabir Masari, the placeholder running mate, and Senator Kashim Shettima, now the vice president-elect.

However, APP based its argument on the fact that Tinubu’s eligibility violated Sections 131(c) and 142 of the Constitution and Section 35 of the Electoral Act 2022, The Nigerian Tribune reported.

APC in response to these petitions said: "Tinubu was duly elected and returned as the President-elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, having won the majority of lawful votes cast in the said election devoid of corrupt practices or vices and in substantial compliance with the provisions of Electoral Act 2022 (as amended).

“For an election petition to be competent, it must complain against the return and/or election of the winner of the disputed election.

“The instant petition is neither challenging and/or questioning the election of the 2nd and/or 3rd respondent (APC/Tinubu)."