Atiku/PDP Petition Challenges Tinubu's Election on Grounds of Non-Compliance, Corruption and Ineligibility

 On the second day of the Presidential Election Petition Court's pre-hearing, the case of Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the election of Bola Ahmed Tinubu took center stage. The petition, which was filed shortly after the election, alleges several grounds for Tinubu's election being declared invalid.

The first ground of the petition is that Tinubu's election is invalid due to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)'s non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022. The petitioners claim that INEC failed to conduct a free, fair, and credible election in accordance with the law, and as such, the election should be nullified.

In addition to this, the petition is also questioning Tinubu's candidacy on the grounds of the substitution of the initial placeholder, Kabir Masari, with Shettima. The petitioners argue that this substitution was not done in accordance with the law and as such, Tinubu's candidacy is invalid.

The petition further alleges that the election was invalid because of corrupt practices. The petitioners claim that Tinubu's campaign team engaged in vote-buying, intimidation of voters, and other forms of electoral malpractice, all of which contributed to the invalidity of the election.

Moreover, the petition states that Mr. Tinubu was not duly elected by a majority of lawful votes cast at the Election. The petitioners allege that the election was rigged in Tinubu's favor, and as such, the results do not reflect the will of the people.

Finally, the petition stated that Mr. Tinubu was at the time of the election not qualified to run for the office of president due to an alleged indictment on drug-related charges in the United States. The petitioners argue that this indictment renders Tinubu ineligible to hold any public office, and as such, his election should be declared null and void.

The hearing of this case is expected to be intense, with both sides expected to present compelling arguments and evidence to support their claims. The outcome of the case will have significant implications for the political landscape in Nigeria, as it could potentially result in the removal of Tinubu from office and a possible re-run of the election.

Regardless of the outcome, however, this case highlights the importance of conducting free, fair, and credible elections in Nigeria. It is imperative that the electoral process is transparent and that the will of the people is respected in all elections, as this is the only way to ensure that democracy thrives and that the country can move forward.