The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly criticized the written address submitted by President Tinubu and the lawyers representing the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPC).
In a statement released by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP accused the APC lawyers of employing a pre-emptive strategy to intimidate the judiciary.
According to the PDP, the lawyers’ address contained alleged threats of crisis and anarchy should the tribunal rule that their clients failed to meet the constitutionally mandated requirement of securing 25 percent of the votes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
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This will intimidate and harass the judiciary
The opposition party described these threats as “subversive” and stated that they constituted an assault on the nation’s corporate existence and democratic order.
They argued that this action was a precursor to inciting violent crises across the country, with the aim of further pressurizing the PEPC.
The PDP emphasized that the statutory requirements for a presidential election winner, as outlined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2022, were clear and unambiguous.
As the case before the PEPC progresses, the actions and statements of both the PDP and APC continue to shape the political landscape, raising concerns about the integrity and impartiality of the judicial process.
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Disregard 25% Controversy in FCT: Tinubu, Shettima plea to tribunal
In another news, President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima plead with the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal not to invalidate the presidential election held on February 25.
They argue that the controversy surrounding the 25% requirement in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) should not be a reason to cancel the election. Their appeal was presented in a final address by their lead counsel, Wole Olanipekun.
Olanipekun dismissed the arguments and testimonies presented by the opponents as baseless and unsupported. He urged the court to dismiss the petition, stating that it lacked any substance or merit.
