Nigeria’s presidential election tribunal on 6 September affirmed President Bola Tinubu’s victory in the disputed February 2023 polls, dismissing the petitions of three political parties. The Labour Party had filed its petition on 21 March; the next day the Peoples Democratic Party and the Allied Peoples Movement followed with theirs. The Conversation Africa asked political scientist Damilola Agbalajobi about the implications of this judgment.
What does the tribunal’s decision imply?
First, never again will anyone lose an election and base an election petition on frivolities. You have to be sure of what you are saying. Petitions are not meant to be based on sentiments. The court is not a Father Christmas and judgment will be based on the evidence. Anyone going to a tribunal will have to prepare very well.
