The appeal by the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, lacks merit, substance and good faith.
President Bola Tinubu who made this statements, said Obi’s appeal was based on allegations dismissed at the election petition tribunal, adding that the presidential election was peacefully conducted all over the country, and the results of the elections were carefully and accurately recorded in the various forms of EC8As.
Tinubu’s lead counsel, Wole Olanipekun, SAN, said the appeal filed by Obi challenging the decision of the tribunal “was nothing but a jamboree of sorts, which was prosecuted more in the media than in the courtroom and the lower court, being a court of law and not of sentiments, dutifully threw away their petition after a painstaking consideration of same. If considered from every angle, it is lacking in merit, substance, and good faith.
He said this court has presided over past election petitions and made far-reaching pronouncements on diverse issues, including but not limited to ballot box snatching, vote buying, voters’ intimidation, interference by the military, thuggery, ballot stuffing, violence, disenfranchisement and non-recording of votes in form EC8A.”
He said Obi cannot prove his allegations of non-compliance and corrupt practices as required by law.
Tinubu said, “Instructively, however, the lower court, appreciating that it is not a court of final instance, proceeded to determine the petition on its merit, while itemising several monumental failures of the petitioners to provide any evidence in support of their much-touted case.
“While affirming the election and declaration of the 2nd respondent at the referenced presidential election, the lower court also found that the appellants did not prove any of their allegations on the requisite standards of proof. ”
On the 25 per cent requirement in the FCT, Tinubu told the apex court that Obi was on a “fishing expedition”.
He said, “The other very remote contention is that the 2nd respondent did not score 25 percent of the votes recorded at the Federal Capital Territory.
“With much respect to the appellants, the petition is more of a fishing expedition; much more of evocation of thunder without dews. ”
According to the President, the lower court ruling was faultless , adding that, “It is against the well-considered judgment of the lower court that the appellants have brought this appeal.”
