*INEC speaks on Abuja’s special status in final address

Award-winning author, Chimamanda Adichie, joined the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi; and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed at the Presidential Election Petition Court on Tuesday in Abuja.

Obi and Baba-Ahmed are challenging the victory of President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 25, 2023 poll as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Tribunal is set to resume hearing in the adoption of written address by LP and Obi.

The Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu-led Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Bola Ahmed Tinubu, candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), winner of the poll.

Both local and international election observers have criticized the poll as lacking in integrity.

Justice Haruna Tsammani, the Presiding Justice of the court, announced to lawyers to petitioners and the respondents after they all adopted their final written addresses that the court has reserved judgment on a date to be communicated to the parties.

Lead counsel to LP and Obi, Livy Uzoukwu (SAN), argued that his clients had proved their case beyond any reasonable doubt and prayed the court to grant the reliefs sought by declaring them winners of the Presidential election. 
However, lawyers to the respondents, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) for the INEC; Wole Olanipekun (SAN) for President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President, Kashim Shettma, and Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), prayed the court to dismiss the petition for lacking in merit and for failing to provide relevant evidence to support their claims.

*25% in FCT: INEC speaks on Abuja’s special status in final address

It should be noted that INEC in its final address on the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar said the FCT has no special status as stated in the constitution.

Counsel to INEC, Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN had stated that in line with section 134 of the constitution, the FCT is treated as a state, meaning that FCT is classified as the 37th state in the country.

Mahmoud said the petitioners having failed woefully in establishing their petition, their request should be dismissed by the court.

According to the INEC’s lead counsel, the petitioners listed non-compliance with the letter of the Electoral Act, the status of the FCT, INEC Regulations and Guidelines, and the use of technology in the election as major issues of contention.

Mahmoud however said it is illogical to insist one must get 25 percent of votes in the country’s capital as postulated by the petitioners.

He argued that it will create a situation where FCT voters would be given special status above other Nigerians living in other States.