Politics

25 Percent Votes: FCT Residents Ask Court to Stop Tinubu’s Inauguration, Extend Buhari’s Tenure

Five residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, demanding an order to stop the swearing-in of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, on May 29, for failing to secure at least 25 percent of votes cast in the FCT.
Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared winner of the February 25 presidential poll with 8,794,726 votes.


The plaintiffs – Anyaegbunam Okoye, David Adzer, Jeffrey Ucheh, Osang Paul and Chibuike Nwanchukwu – sued for themselves and on behalf of other residents and registered voters in the FCT. The Originating Summons marked FHC/ABJ/CS/578/2023 was filed on April 28.
The complainants, through their lawyer, Chuks Nwachukwu urged the court to stop the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, any other judicial officer and/or any other authority or person from swearing in any candidate in the February 25 presidential election as President or Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.


They added that this should remain until it is judicially determined with finality or in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution that such candidate has fulfilled the requirement of Section 134(2)(b) of the Constitution.
The plaintiffs aver that Tinubu failed to secure at least 25 percent of votes cast in the FCT.


They are asking the court to determine “whether or not the person who is to be elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and consequently administrator of the FCT through the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and the Federal Capital Territory Development Authority, on the first ballot is required by section 134(2)(b) of the Constitution to obtain at least 25 percent of the votes cast in the FCT.
“Whether the plaintiffs and other residents and registered voters in the FCT Abuja would not be discriminated against if any state within the Federal Republic of Nigeria were substituted for the FCT.”


Should the questions for determination be answered in the affirmative, the plaintiffs are praying for a declaration that “no candidate in the February 25th presidential election may validly be sworn in as President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria without such candidate having obtained 25% of the votes cast in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.”
The plaintiffs also want a declaration extending President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure pending when a successor is determined in accordance with the constitution.


The suit which cited the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami as first respondent and the CJN as second respondent in the matter also demanded “an order setting aside or suspending any declaration and/or issuance of a Certificate of a Return to any candidate in the February 25 presidential election.


THISDAY learnt that the matter has been fixed for Monday May 15, for mention.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had said a candidate need not secure 25 percent of the votes in the FCT to be declared winner because the FCT was not accorded any special status in the constitution as being “erroneously” portrayed.

Alex Enumah in Abuja

Follow us on:

Alex Enumah

View Comments

  • IMPOUNDED VEHICLES FOR SALE IN A CHEAP AND AFFORDABLE AUCTION PRICE INTERESTED BUYER SHOULD KINDLY CONTACT OFFICER MrsEze .

    OFFICER MrsEze ON
    [O7O 4540 6674)

    CARS FEATURES AND
    PRICE BELOW

    GOLF 2,3,4,5 #250,000
    TOYOTA CAMRY BIG
    DADDY #550,000
    TOYOTA CAMRY
    TINYLIGH= #350,000
    TOYOTA CAMRY
    MUSCLE= #450,000
    TOYOTA CAMRY
    PENCILLIGHT=#400,000
    TOYOTA COROLLA
    le=#550,000
    TOYOTA COROLLA
    S=#850,000
    TOYOTA
    VENZA=#950,00 1.8m
    TOYOTA Hilux 1.5 million
    TOYOTA AVALON
    #800,000
    TOYOTA AVENSIS
    #700,000
    TOYOTA RAV4 1.2m
    TOYOTA SIENNA
    #550,000
    TOYOTA
    4runner#850,000
    TOYOTA TUNDRA 1.9m
    TOYOTA PICNIC
    #550,000
    TOYOTA Highlander
    #850,000
    TOYOTA PADRO JEEP
    1.6m
    TOYOTA LAND
    CRUISER=1.5m
    TOYOTA YARIS #459,000
    TOYOTA MATRIX
    #650,000
    TOYOTA HAICE BUS
    #750,000
    ACCURA ZDX 1.6m
    ACCURA MDX 1.9m
    HONDA PILOT #950,00
    HONDA BABY BOY
    #550,000
    HONDA END OF
    DISCUSSION
    HONDA ACCORD
    #450,000
    Honda CR-V #850,000
    INFINITY fx450 #750,000
    to 1.4m
    NISSAN MURANO
    #650,00
    LEXUS RX 350 #950,000
    LEXUS RS 330 # 850,000
    LEXUS RS 300 # 750,000
    LEXUS RX 470 1.5m
    All NEGOTIABLE WE
    RENDER GOOD SERVICE
    TO CUSTOMER ....{ E.T .C}

    LOCATION AT OGUN
    STATE IDIROKO BORDER WE
    HAVE TWO OPTION
    ELDER WE DELIVERY OR
    YOU COME OVER IF WE
    HAVE TO COME OVER WE
    NEED THIS FROM YOU

    {1} NATIONAL ID CARD
    {2} BORDER PERMIT
    {3} INSPECTION DOCUMENTS
    {4} 2PASSPORT

    THANKS FOR YOUR
    PATRONAGE WE

    DELIVER TO 36 STATE IN
    NIGERIA AND ALSO
    COME DOWN WITH THE
    FULL PAYMENT CALL
    FOR MORE
    INFORMATION
    {O7O 4540 6674 }!!! WE DELIVER NATION WIDE NOTICE INSTALMENTAL PAYMENT IS ALLOWED!!!!!!〽.

Recent Posts

Tinubu: I’m Not In Office For Personal Gain But To Serve Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu on Friday declared that his purpose for seeking the nation's number one…

8 hours ago

Kano Partners Tony Blair Institute to Unlock $23.5m Investment in Energy Sector

Kano state government is partnering Tony Blair Institute for Global Change to attract $23.5 million…

8 hours ago

Nigeria Says Legal Frameworks to Safeguard Country’s Biodiversity Being Reviewed

Nigeria's federal government has said it is currently reviewing the nation’s legal frameworks, among other…

8 hours ago

Abuja, Port Harcourt Airports Win International Awards

The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and the Port Harcourt International Airport have been recognised…

8 hours ago

Tinubu Shelves Plans To Attend UNGA + Obaseki Clarifies ‘Do Or Die’ Statement On Edo Elections – Trending With Ojy Okpe

https://cdn.veri.app/13646108-d5ec-478b-a54c-b01f60dbca29.mp4 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu On Thursday directed Vice President, Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s…

13 hours ago

Harris on Gun Ownership: ‘If Somebody Breaks In, They’re Getting Shot’

The United Sates (US) Vice President Kamala Harris has expressed her willingness to use her…

14 hours ago