The Supreme Court, on Monday, reserved its judgement on the appeal filed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the victory of Bola Tinubu in the February 23 presidential election.
The seven-member panel of justices, headed by Justice John Okoro, adjourned the case after hearing the arguments of the lawyers representing the appellants and the respondents.
The appellants had filed a motion seeking to adduce fresh evidence to prove their allegations of electoral malpractices, irregularities and non-compliance with the Electoral Act by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Tinubu and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The appellants’ counsel, Chris Uche (SAN), urged the court to grant the motion and allow the appeal, arguing that Tinubu was not qualified to contest the election because he submitted a false affidavit to INEC.
However, the respondents’ counsel – Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) for INEC, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) for Tinubu and Akin Olujinmi (SAN) for APC – opposed the motion and the appeal, contending that they were devoid of merit and substance.
They also maintained that Tinubu was duly elected by the majority of lawful votes cast at the election and that his academic qualifications met the constitutional requirements.
The court also heard another appeal filed by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) challenging the election of Dapo Abiodun as the governor of Ogun State. The court is expected to deliver its judgments on both appeals within 60 days.