Tribunal: INEC Berates Peter Obi’s Petition, Says LP Candidate Yet to Prove He Scored Highest Votes
- The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has slammed the petitions of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi
- INEC said Obi has yet to prove to the court that he scored the highest votes in the last Presidential election
- In its argument before the tribunal, Nigeria's electoral body said Obi's petitions lacked merit and should not be considered for further hearing
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FCT, Abuja - The Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has been accused of failing to prove that he scored the highest votes in the 2023 presidential polls in February, despite finishing in third place behind former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, respectively.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) raised the argument before the presidential elections tribunal.
Source: UGC
Obi, who is at loggerheads with INEC and President Tinubu at the tribunal, has tendered several petitions to declare him the presidential poll winner.
INEC's legal attorney, Abubakar Mahmoud, downplayed Obi's petitions, telling the court that his argument and evidence lacked merit.
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INEC clears air on Obi's multiple petitions
Obi's petitions against Tinubu include the disqualification of Vice President Kashim Shettima for an alleged double nomination, allegations of drug trafficking against President Tinubu and a host of others.
In response to the allegations, Mahmoud noted that an earlier notification had been sent to INEC in a written letter seeking the withdrawal of Shettima as the Borno Central Senatorial District candidate of the APC in a bid to allow him to accept the Vice Presidential ticket of the party, Premium Times reported.
Mahmoud further disclosed that there was a voluntary action by Shettima for the withdrawal of his ambition as a lawmaker at the national assembly.
On the case of Tinubu's alleged drug case, Mahmoud said:
“There was no criminal charge, sentence or conviction to support the allegation of criminal conviction or forfeiture,” referencing a letter from the US government tendered during the defence.
He added that:
“the alleged order of forfeiture being that of a foreign court is not registered in Nigeria to be enforceable”.
“Obi still has a chance”: Prophet who predicted Tinubu’s victory drops bombshell
Meanwhile, Labour Party presidential bannerman Peter Obi has been urged to emulate ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and accept his loss in good fate.
The advice was given by Prophet Godwin Ikuru, the cleric who predicted the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 2023 presidential polls.
He, however, noted that Obi's political career is not yet over, noting that he still has a chance at earning himself a political office.
Source: Legit.ng
