The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Monday fixed May 26 to deliver judgment in the suit by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against President-elect, Bola Tinubu and Kassim Shettima.
The petition is seeking the disqualification of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu and Kassim Shettima, the Vice President-elect.
The party also implored the court to reverse the Court of Appeal judgment, led by Justice James Abundaga.
The judgement held that the party failed to establish its locus standi.
The judgement that will come three days before the presidential inauguration, would determine whether Shettima would be sworn in as the vice president or if his candidacy would be truncated.
Joint Ticket
If affirmed, Shettima’s disqualification could truncate the swearing in of Bola Tinubu as president since they ran a joint ticket.
Senior lawyer Joe Agim told the Court that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had earlier admitted Shettima’s double nomination at the appellate court, but the APC denied the allegation.
Agim, citing a case involving Uche Nwosu against ADP as precedent, asserted that his respondents did not deserve to speak, let alone make any argument, over the alleged double nomination.
“There’s a punishment for double nomination. They ought not to be heard. It should never happen in this country.”
However, the APC lawyer, Omosanya Popoola, rebuked his colleague.
To him, the motion did not hold water, as the Federal High Court had ruled that PDP had no locus standi to bring up the matter, a judgement that was later upheld by the Court of Appeal.
Pre-election Matter
Furthermore, he said that the matter, being a pre-election matter, had exceeded the time in which it can be challenged.
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He says it was too late for the PDP to raise the matter at the Supreme Court after 180 days.
“This matter has long expired, well over 200 days,” asserted Popoola, hinting it was a pre-election matter.
But Mr Agi argued that the number of days was not an issue based on Uche Nwosu’s precedent.
He quoted the Supreme Court as previously saying “time does not run” when treating matters of double nomination.
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The five-member justices, led by Inyang Okoro, said the Court will give its judgement on Friday, May 26.
