The Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) in Abuja has reserved judgment in a petition filed by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) challenging the election of President Bola Tinubu. The APM’s petition alleges that Tinubu’s election was invalid due to the double nomination of his vice presidential running mate, Kashim Shettima, by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for different positions.
According to the APM, the withdrawal of Kabiru Masari as the APC’s vice-presidential candidate invalidated Tinubu’s candidacy. The party argues that there was a three-week gap between Masari’s intention to withdraw and the official replacement of Shettima. The APM claims that this elapsed timeframe rendered Tinubu’s candidacy invalid at the time Shettima was nominated.
The APM further contends that Masari’s initial nomination activated the joint ticket principle as per the Constitution, and his subsequent withdrawal invalidated the joint ticket. Therefore, the APM is seeking a declaration from the PEPC that Shettima was not qualified to contest as the Vice-Presidential candidate of the APC as of February 25, the date of the election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Additionally, they request the nullification of all the votes scored by Tinubu in the presidential election.
The PEPC has announced that it will communicate the date of the judgment to the parties involved in due course. This petition adds to the ongoing legal battle surrounding Shettima’s alleged double nomination. In May, the Supreme Court dismissed a petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging Tinubu’s eligibility to run for president.
