In a pivotal ruling on Wednesday, the Presidential Election Petitions Court challenged Labour Party’s candidate, Peter Obi, for failing to provide concrete evidence of their majority of lawful votes in the February 25 presidential election. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Bola Tinubu as the 2023 presidential election victor, defeating Obi, Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and others.
Obi and the Labour Party asserted their victory in the election, prompting an ongoing Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) case. However, Justice Abba Bello Mohammed, delivering the lead judgment, expressed dissatisfaction with Obi’s vague allegations of irregularities, suppression of votes, and corrupt practices, citing their failure to specify affected polling units, locations, or numbers.
The Tribunal also dismissed allegations of overvoting against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and noted the absence of evidence to support their claims. Justice Mohammed emphasized that the heart of election disputes lies in the numbers, emphasizing the necessity of precise evidence.
“It is unimaginable that a petitioner will allege widespread rigging in 176,000 polling units, over 8,000 wards, 774 LGAs, 36 States, and FCT without stating the specific place where the alleged irregularities occur,” Justice Mohammed declared.
The court further criticized the Labour Party for promising documents such as spreadsheets, inspection reports, and forensic analysis in their petition but failing to attach them.
As the judgment continues, the fate of this election dispute remains uncertain.
