Supreme Court Delivers Verdict On PDP’s Suit Against Tinubu, Shettima Over ‘Double Nomination’

Eko Hot Blog reports that the Supreme Court has delivered judgement in the suit seeking the disqualification of Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima as presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had claimed that Shettima’s nomination as Tinubu’s running mate was in breach of the provisions of sections 29(1), 33, 35, and 84(1)(2) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

The opposition party argued that Shettima’s nomination to contest the position of vice-president and Borno Central senatorial seat at the same time contravened the law.

However, in a verdict delivered on Friday, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court sided with the lower courts, ruling that the PDP lacked the locus standi to institute the suit.

The panel noted that the PDP is not a member of the APC.

The verdict means the coast is clear for Tinubu and Shettima to be sworn in as president and vice-president on Monday, May 29, 2023.

Earlier, a Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal dismissed the PDP’s suit for lacking the standing to institute the case.

Both courts refused to consider the merits of the case.

However, the PDP raised the same matter in its petition challenging Tinubu’s victory in the February 25 presidential election at the tribunal.

It was not immediately clear whether the tribunal will consider the merits of the case in the post-election matter.

More to follow…