The Labour Party (LP) has given a significant announcement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision, which upheld Presidential Bola Tinubu’s victory in the February 25 election. Julius Abure, the LP National Chairman, expressed the party’s decision to move forward while raising concerns about the Supreme Court’s impact on justice and good conscience in its rulings.
The verdict came from a five-man panel of justices led by Justice John Okoro, which dismissed LP presidential candidate Peter Obi’s appeal challenging Tinubu’s presidential victory. Obi’s appeal primarily centered on the disqualification of Vice President Kashim Shettima due to double nomination. Obi argued that Shettima was ineligible to serve as Tinubu’s running mate during the previous presidential election.
However, Justice Okoro, representing the Supreme Court, firmly stated that the issue of double nomination would not be revisited. He recalled that the apex court had previously issued a judgment on this matter when it was brought before a lower court.
This development marks a significant moment in Nigerian politics, as the LP grapples with the Supreme Court’s decision while seeking to move forward in the wake of the affirmed victory of Bola Tinubu. The court’s stance on the issue of double nomination has sparked discussions about the interpretation of electoral laws and their implications on the political landscape.
“This matter ought not to have come here. When the matter was pending at the trial court, this court delivered judgement on it. This appeal lacks merit and is hereby dismissed,” the court ruled.
In a similar vein, the apex court dismissed the appeal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, challenging Tinubu’s victory.
Faulting the Supreme Court judgment, Abure described the verdict as disappointing while expressing hope for the future.
A statement by Abure reads partly: “The leadership of Labour Party watched as the sacred fabric of justice and good conscience was shredded today at the Supreme Court as it delivered its verdict in the case between our party, the presidential candidate and the APC presidential candidate.
“We are indeed very shocked and surprised that even the apex Court will toe the line of an earlier judgement in spite of all the flaws associated with the judgement delivered by the Presidential Election Appeal Tribunal.
“Having conclusively exercised our fundamental rights as gifted to us by the laws of the land, we have no other choice but to move on. We may be disappointed and dismayed by the outcome of the exercise, but we have chosen to trudge on and to remain optimistic of what the future holds for the nation.
“We weep for our institutions that cannot rise to the occasion and courageously defend democracy and the voices of our people.”