PEPT Dismisses Peter Obi, LP’s Claims Regarding Tinubu’s Votes in FCT, Describes It As Irrelevant

The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal has ruled against Peter Obi and the Labour Party, declaring their argument that President Bola Tinubu failed to secure 25% of the votes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as irrelevant.

Recall that Peter Obi and the LP had petitioned the court, seeking to be declared as the candidates who secured the majority of lawful votes with the required constitutional spread, including at least 25% of the votes in at least two-thirds of the states in the federation, as well as the FCT, Abuja.

However, the tribunal, in its Wednesday ruling, concurred with the respondent’s argument that the FCT does not hold a special status and that Abuja is inhabited by Nigerians who do not enjoy any special privilege. As a result, the tribunal deemed this argument irrelevant to the case.

Earlier in the proceedings, the court also found that Peter Obi and the Labour Party failed to substantiate their claims of anomalies in their petition against President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima