It's Judgement Day For Atiku, Obi, Tinubu: 5 Things You Should Know

Today, Wednesday, September 6, 2023, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Ojei Chichi will know their fate as they seek Bola Tinubu's disqualification as president.

This crucial announcement pertains to the outcome of the presidential election that transpired on February 25. Initially declared as the victor of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) now finds himself at the centre of a legal battle as his opponents have fervently filed petitions with the tribunal, seeking to overturn the election results. Here are 5 key things to bear in mind in anticipation of today's ruling:

Three Cases Under Review: Atiku, Obi, Chichi

[caption id="attachment_9549" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] PDP, Atiku Abubakar, LP, Peterr Obi, APM Ojei Chichi | Source: Google[/caption] While five political parties initially lodged petitions contesting the election outcome back in March, only three of these petitions have persevered and are now awaiting the tribunal's verdict. Atiku Abubakar, who secured second place in the polls, along with his People's Democratic Party (PDP), and Peter Obi, who came in third place with his Labour Party (LP), are the prominent petitioners in this legal battle. Interestingly, despite a 13th-place finish in the polls, the Allied People's Movement (APM) is also expecting the tribunal to make a determination on its case. The party's plea to the court revolves around the alleged illegitimacy of Tinubu's victory and the subsequent call for Atiku to be declared the rightful winner.

Televised Judgement:

In a bid to promote transparency and openness, the tribunal's judgment will be broadcast live by interested television stations. This progressive step allows citizens across Nigeria to witness the proceedings as they determine the fate of Atiku, Obi and Ojei Chichi today.

Panel of Judges: 5 Judges

[caption id="attachment_9550" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Tribunal Judges | Source: Google[/caption] A panel of five judges will be presiding over Atiku, Peter Obi and Ojei Chichi's petition. It is noteworthy that unanimity among all five judges is not mandatory; instead, a ruling endorsed by at least three judges will constitute the majority verdict. The judges overseeing today's proceedings include Haruna Tsammani, Stephen Adah, Misturat Bolaji-Yusuf, Boloukuoromo Moses Ugo, and Abba-Bello Mohammed.

Tribunal Ruling's Not Final:

It's important to emphasize that today's verdict is not the final word in the realm of presidential election petitions. Regardless of the tribunal's decision, it is highly likely that the outcome will be contested in the Supreme Court, which serves as the ultimate authority in such matters. In the event of an unfavourable ruling, Atiku and other parties seeking Tinubu's disqualification have a 14-day window to file an appeal before the Supreme Court. Any appeals submitted beyond this timeframe will be deemed null and void. The Supreme Court is obligated to deliver its verdict within a maximum of 60 days following the submission of the appeal. Therefore, the ultimate resolution of the election result is not anticipated until November.

Historical Context: No President Has Ever Been Unseated By The Court

[caption id="attachment_9551" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] All Nigeria's President | Source: Google[/caption] It is worth noting that, historically, no Nigerian court has ever overturned the outcome of a presidential election, despite frequent legal challenges during each election cycle. One noteworthy exception occurred in 2015 when Goodluck Jonathan chose not to contest Muhammadu Buhari's victory. As the nation anxiously awaits the tribunal's pronouncement, Nigerians may witness history repeating itself or an unprecedented and transformative legal ruling that breaks with tradition.