The Labour Party has described Wednesday’s ruling by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, which upheld the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a bizarre ruling from the judges that would negatively impact the future of Nigerian justice.
The party said the ruling by the presiding judge, Justice Haruna Tsammani, who was supported by other panel members – Justices Stephen Adah, Monsurat Bolaji-Yusuf, Moses Ugo and Abba Mohammed – would mean the ruin of the country if it could stay, hence the decision by the party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court.
The jury alternately rejected the petitions of Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Obi against the National Independent Election Commission’s recognition of Tinubu as the winner of the March 1, 2023, presidential election.
Edun said, “We had a feeling that might happen. For example, if the court considers that certain key witness testimonies should have been submitted in the lawsuit. How is it possible? A subpoena is a court order by which the court compels a witness to testify before or during the filing of a lawsuit.
“That’s because I didn’t act, even the court didn’t have jurisdiction. We’re submitting now. The court acquires jurisdiction only after the filing of the application and not before. So how do you make your statement when you file a complaint? Only then does the court sign the subpoena.
He explains: “This subpoena is an invitation addressed to a person, expressing that the court has given him an order to appear and testify. How can a person who has not been ordered by the court make a statement?
“That’s why I said the judgement was so strange. And on that basis, the testimony of 10 of our 13 witnesses was subverted, which inevitably weakened our case. It’s a strange judgment.”
He submitted that the Supreme Court will be the final arbitrator.
“There are some filling we consider unacceptable. Let’s see what the Supreme Court has to say about this. We not only have to deal with this today, but also because of Nigeria’s case law. Let’s see what the Supreme Court justices have to say about all of this. It is very important to do this for the good of tomorrow.”
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obior Ifoh said the LP would consult widely with its legal team about the next step.
He said: “The Labour Party has today witnessed with dismay and concern the rejection of the petition by a five-man panel of the tribunal, led by Justice Haruna Tsammani, and we reject the outcome of the judgment in its entirety because justice was not served and was not in accordance with the law or the wishes of the people
“Nigerians witnessed the February 25, 2023 election attack, which was condemned around the world, but the tribunal refused in its Wisdom to accept this.” It is obvious democracy is at stake and we will not do anything until the people win.
“Details of the parties’ position will be provided after consultation with our attorneys after a certified copy of the judgment is provided.”
