The seven-member court docket panel deferred any speedy judgment and judges had been anticipated to ship the ultimate ruling on the opposition bid to overturn Tinubu’s election within the subsequent few weeks.
Because the nation’s return from navy rule in 1999, Nigerian elections have typically been marred by fraud allegations and normally find yourself in authorized challenges, however the Supreme Court docket has by no means overturned a presidential election.
A former Lagos governor, Tinubu received 37 % of the vote in February, beating Peoples Democratic Get together (PDP) candidate Atiku Abubakar and Labour Get together’s Peter Obi, in one of the vital tightly contested votes in Nigeria’s fashionable historical past.
An election appeals court docket final month rejected as with out advantage the 2 most important opposition celebration petitions, together with allegations of fraud, electoral regulation violations and claims Tinubu was ineligible.
Akin Olujimi, lead counsel for Tinubu’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) celebration, mentioned he believed the Supreme Court docket would additionally throw out the opposition problem.
“I’m anticipating the attraction ought to be dismissed,” he mentioned on the court docket.
Opposition events claimed numerous irregularities, from the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC) failing to correctly add outcomes to fraud and claims Tinubu didn’t meet constitutional necessities for the presidency.
“As attorneys, now we have accomplished our a part of the work. The ball is now within the court docket of the Court docket to do justice,” Atiku’s legal professional Chris Uche mentioned in a textual content message.
Together with its unique claims, Atiku’s camp additionally sought to introduce new proof it claims reveals Tinubu submitted a solid certificates from the Chicago State College as a qualification to the election fee when he utilized to run for president.
– Glitches –
APC stalwarts have dismissed these claims as bogus, however the political rivals have sparred on tv and social media over the forgery claims.
After February’s election, INEC acknowledged “glitches” within the voting course of, however dismissed claims it had not been free and honest. Critics and the opposition mentioned delays in importing outcomes and technical issues created alternatives for vote manipulation.
Vowing an agenda of “Renewed Hope”, Tinubu took workplace in Could and has rapidly launched reforms his authorities says will revive Africa’s largest economic system and appeal to extra international funding.
The federal government can also be attempting to sort out big safety challenges, from a long-running jihadist insurgency within the northeast to kidnap gangs and intercommunal clashes in different components of the nation.
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