BREAKING NEWS: Supreme Court dismisses PDP’s suit against Tinubu, Shettima over double nomination.
BREAKING NEWS: Supreme Court dismisses PDP’s suit against Tinubu, Shettima over double nomination
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has dismissed the lawsuit filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) against former Lagos State Governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and former Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, over their alleged double nomination.
In a unanimous decision reached by the seven-man panel of judges, the Supreme Court held that the PDP’s case lacked merit and was frivolous.
This is a significant victory for Tinubu, who is widely considered one of the leading contenders for the country’s top job in the 2023 presidential election. The lawsuit had threatened to derail his political ambitions, but with it now dismissed, he is free to pursue his bid for the presidency.
What is Double Nomination?
Double nomination is a political term used to describe the situation in which a person is nominated as a candidate in two different political parties for the same election. This practice is illegal under Nigeria’s electoral laws, and anyone found guilty of double nomination risks disqualification from the election.
PDP’s Case Against Tinubu and Shettima
The PDP had accused Tinubu and Shettima of engaging in double nomination for the 2019 general elections. According to the party, Tinubu was nominated as a candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State and the Action Alliance (AA) in Ogun State. Shettima, on the other hand, was alleged to have been nominated by the APC and another party, the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The PDP argued that the double nomination of Tinubu and Shettima was a breach of Nigeria’s electoral laws and therefore disqualified them from holding public office. The party further claimed that the double nomination was a deliberate attempt by the two politicians to manipulate the electoral process and gain unfair advantage.
The Supreme Court’s Ruling
However, the Supreme Court, in its ruling, disagreed with the PDP’s arguments. The court held that the party failed to provide any evidence that Tinubu and Shettima had engaged in double nomination. The judges noted that the PDP’s case was based on mere speculation and hearsay, as there was no concrete proof to back up their allegations.
The court further held that the PDP’s case was frivolous and designed to harass and intimidate Tinubu and Shettima. The judges noted that the PDP had failed to follow due process in filing their case and had not met the legal requirements for instituting such a suit.
The Implications of the Ruling
The Supreme Court’s ruling is a significant victory for Tinubu and Shettima, who can now breathe easy and focus on their political ambitions. The ruling has removed a major obstacle in Tinubu’s path to the presidency, as the double nomination lawsuit had threatened to derail his campaign.
Moreover, the ruling has reaffirmed the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral laws and the independence of the judiciary. The Supreme Court’s decision sends a strong message to politicians and political parties that they cannot flout the law with impunity.
In conclusion, the dismissal of the PDP’s lawsuit against Tinubu and Shettima is a significant development in Nigerian politics. It has cleared the way for Tinubu to pursue his bid for the presidency and has reaffirmed the independence of the judiciary. As Nigeria heads towards the 2023 elections, it is important that all political parties and politicians abide by the rule of law and respect the democratic process.
