Awards N2m cost against PDP
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Supreme Court of Nigeria, Friday in Abuja, dismissed suit by the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, seeking to disqualify the President-Elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC; and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima.
According to the apex court, Tinubu and Shettima, were eligible to contest the February 25 presidential poll.
The Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision by a five-member panel, held that the suit lacked merit, and subsequently dismissed it.
Ikengaonline had reported that PDP in the suit marked: SC/CV/501/2023, sought Tinubu’s disqualification, arguing that his running mate, Shettima, allowed himself to be nominated for more than one constituency before the general elections.
PDP said that Shettima was nominated twice, both for the Borno Central Senatorial seat and for the Vice Presidential position.
According to the PDP, Shettima’s dual nomination, was in gross breach of the provisions of Sections 29(1), 33, 35 and 84(1) and (2) of the Electoral Act, 2022, as amended.
PDP had also applied for an order to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to expunge Tinubu and Shettima’s names from the list of nominated or sponsored candidates that were eligible to contest the presidential poll.
Delivering judgment Justice Adamu Jauro, held that PDP lacked the locus standi to interfere in affairs of the APC, which nominated both Tinubu and Shettima for the presidential election.
Recall that the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court in Abuja, had earlier dismissed PDP’s suit before the main opposition party proceeded to the apex court.
“From the trial court, down to this court, it has been a waste of precious judicial time.
“The instant appeal was unnecessary and counsel should do better to advise their client against filing this sort of suit in future,” Justice Jauro ruled.
The Supreme Court awarded N2 million cost against the PDP in favour of Tinubu and Shettima.
The judgment of the apex court had generated tension in the nation’s capital as there were rumours that the Federal Government was under pressure to declare Friday a public holiday to prevent the judgment before Tinubu’s inauguration on Monday.
