Femi Falana Gives Legal Insight on Controversial 25% Votes for Presidential Election in Abuja
- A senior advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has said that the controversy surrounding the 25% of votes by candidates in the presidential election has become a serious legal issue
- Falana said Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, has been interpreted as a 37th state of the country
- According to the lawyer, he is reluctant to speak definitively on the section of the law that provides for the 25% vote allocation because there are decisions of the court on the status of Abuja
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Renowned human rights activist and senior lawyer Femi Falana has said that every part of Nigeria is equal, including Abuja, the country's Federal Capital Territory.
Channels Television reports that the Senior Advocate of Nigeria said that while the FCT has been interpreted as a 37th state, it is equal to all other states nationwide.
Source: UGC
Citing Section 134 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, Falana said he would not comment on the issue that is now before the court.
His words:
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“I did state that there is no electoral college in Nigeria and therefore the votes cast or recorded in any part of the country are equal. Section 134 of the Constitution specifically requires a winner of a presidential election to meet certain requirements."
According to Falana, the first bone of contention is for a candidate to score the majority of lawful votes, while the second issue regards territorial spread, a two-thirds majority of the states and the FCT.
“And since the FCT has been interpreted to be a 37th state in Nigeria for the purpose of the constitution I didn’t see any controversy at the material time and that was when I expressed my opinion.
“But now that it has become a serious legal issue and the matter is now pending in court, I am very reluctant to speak definitively on the section because there are decisions of the court on the status of Abuja."
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The apex court, through its spokesperson, Festus Akande, stated that President Muhammadu Buhari was aware of Ariwoola's trip.
Akande also made it clear that the CJN's trip to London was not connected to Bola Tinubu leaving Nigeria recently.
Photos emerge as Peter Obi meets FCT's female Senator-elect, Victor Umeh, after receiving certificate of return
Peter Obi has congratulated some of the senators-elect who contested for various senatorial seats under the Labour Party.
The senators-elect congratulated by the Labour Party's 2023 presidential candidate include Ireti Kingibe and Victor Umeh.
Obi said the party and Nigerians look forward to their diligent service and contribution towards nation-building.
Source: Legit.ng
