Supreme court of Nigeria. Photo: Archive/Radio Nigeria.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has dismissed a suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), seeking to disqualify the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima from contesting the February 25, 2023 presidential election on account of double nomination.
Delivering judgment on Friday, the Apex Court held that the PDP’s Suit praying disqualification of Tinubu and Shettima on ground of alleged double nomination by Shettima was grossly lacking in merit and dismissed it.
Justice Adamu Jauro who delivered the lead judgment of the 5-Man-Panel of Justices, slammed a fine of N2 million on PDP for poke nosing into the internal affairs of the APC in the conduct of its primary elections and nomination of its candidates.
Justice Jauro held that apart from the fact that the PDP lacked requisite jurisdiction to institute the suit, the party also failed to provide a trace of evidence that Shettima engaged in double nomination.
The PDP had in the suit, challenged the validity of the Tinubu/Shettima ticket for the 2023 presidential election, arguing that Shettima’s nomination as the running mate was in breach of the provisions of Sections 29(1), 33, 35 and 84{1)}(2)} of the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended).
The PDP claimed that Shettima had double nominations, arguing that his nomination as a vice-presidential candidate as well as the candidate for the Borno Central Senatorial seat contravened the law.
Reporting by Ifeoma Nwovu; Editing by Chinasa Ossai