CURRENT REPORT BLOG the anticipation is palpable as Nigeria awaits the momentous Judgment Day for the presidential election petition. On Wednesday, September 6th, 2023, the appeal court is set to deliver its verdict, and the nation will closely watch as the fate of the election results hangs in the balance. In this CURRENT REPORT blog post, we will recap the key issues the judges will address on this crucial day and explore some of the intriguing conspiracies that have circulated since the court adjourned for deliberation.
The Constitutional Breaches
The heart of the matter lies in constitutional breaches alleged by the petitioners. These breaches question the eligibility of one of the prominent candidates, Bola Tinubu, and raise concerns about the election results. Let’s delve into the main constitutional issues:
Section 134 of Nigeria’s Constitution: This section outlines the conditions that a presidential candidate must fulfill to be declared the winner. The petitioners contend that Tinubu’s declaration violated this section, and the court must determine whether it plays a conjunctive or disjunctive role.
Disqualifications: The Constitution specifies various grounds for the disqualification of a presidential candidate. The petitioners argue that Tinubu’s past legal troubles, including a significant forfeiture in the United States, should disqualify him.
Dual Nationality: Nigerian law prohibits individuals who have sworn allegiance to another country from holding executive office. The petitioners present evidence that Tinubu acquired another nationality and falsely declared otherwise.
Failure to Replace Vice Presidential Candidate: When a vice presidential candidate resigns before the election, the main candidate must replace them within two weeks. Tinubu failed to do so, and the petitioners argue that this omission should lead to disqualification.
Election Irregularities: The petitioners assert that the Electoral Commission wrongly declared Tinubu as the winner in two states where evidence suggests the Labor Party candidate won. They also highlight a failure to upload presidential election results in real time, as required by electoral law.
The Conspiracies
In the lead-up to Judgment Day, several conspiracies have emerged. These range from suspicions about the authenticity of the judgment to the timing of the announcement. Some believe that the judgment was influenced by politicians who are also lawyers, while others speculate about the motivations behind the live broadcast of the ruling.
The Prediction
Considering the gravity of the constitutional breaches and the evidence presented, it would be a monumental task for any judge to rule in favor of the respondents. The worst-case scenario is an annulment of the election, leading to a fresh election. This outcome would ensure that the rightful winner emerges, restoring faith in the electoral process.
