President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the Supreme Court to reject the appeal lodged by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), contesting his triumph in the 2023 presidential election. Characterizing the appeal as derogatory, Tinubu sought its dismissal, maintaining that Atiku and the PDP failed to substantiate their claims during the Tribunal proceedings. Emphasizing the correctness of the tribunal’s verdict, Tinubu urged the apex court to uphold the lower court’s decision, dismissing the appeal entirely due to its perceived lack of merit and bona fide nature.
Atiku and the PDP had filed a petition citing irregularities and non-compliance with the Electoral Act in the February 25, 2023, presidential election.
They also alleged that Tinubu and his vice, Kashim Shettima, were not qualified to contest and did not win the election by the majority of lawful votes cast.
The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, in its judgment on September 6, however, held that Atiku failed to prove all the averments in his petition.
The PDP candidate subsequently filed an appeal before the apex court on September 18, 2023.
In the 35 grounds notice of appeal, the appellants submitted that the Tribunal’s findings were done with “grave errors and gross misrepresentation” which resulted in a miscarriage of justice.
Consequently, the appellants are praying for the Supreme Court to set aside the entire findings and conclusions of the tribunal.