The battle for the number one seat in Nigeria is getting tougher day by day.
Remember that in a BBC interview, Bola Ahmed Tinubu had said: “I am different”.
Indeed, this particular presidential election is different in all its ways.
First, many must have expected the usual political battle, however, this one is different from others experienced in Nigeria.
You see, all the top 3 political parties that contested in the 2023 presidential election are claiming victory.
Bola Tinubu, was declared winner and president-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He was issued the Certificate of Return too.
He defeated the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP).
Lawsuit Squad Of Senior Advocates
Bola Tinubu is not finding it easy keeping his Certificate of Return.
This is because of the many battles he is facing since he was declared president-elect.
Many say he may not be sworn in as the president.
Tinubu is accused of rigging his way into power. But he has to defend that victory to sit in Aso Rock.
As a result, he has officially inaugurated a team of 50 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) to defend his victory before the presidential election petition tribunal sitting at the Court of Appeal.
The inauguration was held at the Ikoyi office of his lead counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN).
Present at the meeting were Prince Lateef Fagbemi, Mallam Yusuf Ali, Tayo Oyetibo, Chief Niyi Akintola, Chukwuma Ekomaru, Dr. Hassan Liman, Professor Dakas Dakas and Anthony Malik.
All of them are senior advocates.
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Also, in attendance at the meeting were the All Progressives Congress’ legal adviser, Ahmad El-Marzuq, Life Bencher, and Festus Keyamo who is also a senior advocate.
More Advocates
Other members of the Tinubu’s legal team who are all SANs are Akin Olujimi, Emmanuel Ukala, Afolabi Fashanu, Professor Konyinsola Ajayi, Professor Taiwo Osipitan, Tani Molajo, Tayo Oyetibo, Mike Igbokwe, Bayo Adelodun, Oladele Adesina, Oladipo Okpeseyi, Lawal Pedro, Chukwuma Ekomaru, Olasupo Shasore, Abiodun Owonikoko, Adesegun Ajibola, Solomon Umoh, Tunde Busari, Professor Dakas Dakas, Ogwu James Onoja, Professor J. Olukayode Olatoke, Chief Hakeem Afolabi and Dr. Muiz Banire.
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The rest are Oladapo Olanipekun, A.U Mustapha, Yomi Aliyu, Olusola Oke, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, Bode Olanipekun, Professor Lawan Yusufari, Anthony Malik, Babatunde Ogala, Funmi Quadri, Remi Olatubora, Kunle Adegoke, Abdul Mohammed Rafindadi, Anthony Adeniyi, Marcel Oru, M.A Abubakar, Said Sanusi, Adebayo Mutalubi Ojo, Hanafin Mumin and Prince Lukman Fagbemi.
A Defence Task
Tinubu told the 50-member team that the task before them is not just about defending his victory at the election, but it is a task that has the defence of democracy as its major prime.
The former Governor of Lagos, expressed faith in the ability of members of the team to bring their wealth of knowledge, experience and diligence to bear in the defence of popular wishes of the Nigerian people.
He commended the assemblage of senior counsel for their comity, camaraderie, collegiality, partnership and solidarity with the masses.
We Are Ready
The lead counsel, Olanipekun implored all members of the team to be aware that the task before them is a solemn and sober one, which they must execute by bringing every inch of their expertise to bear.
He said: “As it has to do with the instrumentality of the law, the team is ready to extract, extricate and excavate any legal authority, no matter where they may be hidden in the world, in order to carry out Tinubu’s instructions.”
