The political camp of the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign council has reacted to the Supreme Court verdict scheduled for Friday 26th, 2023, saying only God knows the person that would be sworn in as president on May 29th.
According to the spokesperson for the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign organisation, Daniel Bwala, the outcome of the case would determine the rightful person to be inaugurated as Nigeria’s President.
In a tweet on Wednesday, Bwala said that though there would be a swearing-in ceremony on May 29th, but as for who would be sworn in, only God knows because there is a pending case at the Supreme Court.
He wrote: “By May 29th, there would be a swearing in ceremony. As for who would be sworn in, only God knows because there is a case at the Supreme Court scheduled for this Friday for judgment. Whichever way it goes, Nigeria would succeed. That’s the democracy we ordered.”
The Supreme Court had slated for May 26th its verdict on the case brought by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the qualifications of President-elect, Bola Tinubu and Vice-President-elect Kashim Shettima.
It was gathered that the PDP on the other hand is seeking to overturn the judgment of the Court of Appeal, presided over by Justice James Abundaga, which determined that the party lacked the standing to bring the suit.
The appeal seeks to disqualify Tinubu based on a purported double nomination of his deputy, Shettima, who, according to PDP, simultaneously held positions as both a Senatorial and Vice Presidential candidate.
The outcome of this case could have disastrous implications. If upheld, Shettima’s disqualification would jeopardize the swearing-in of Tinubu as president since they were elected on a joint ticket.
Senior lawyer Joe Agim, representing the PDP, argued before the Supreme Court that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had previously conceded to Shettima’s double nomination during the appellate court proceedings, a claim vehemently denied by the APC.
Drawing upon a precedent set in the case of Uche Nwosu against the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Agim contended that the defendants should not have the right to present an argument given the alleged double nomination.
He said: “There’s a punishment for double nomination. They ought not to be heard,” Mr Agim forcefully told the court on Monday.
“It should never happen in this country.”
As the nation watches, the verdict on Friday will not only determine the fate of the incoming leadership but could also set a crucial precedent for the democratic processes in Nigeria, reinforcing the sanctity of its electoral laws.
