Jumoke Olasunkanmi
The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) has ruled against nullifying the election of the incumbent president, Bola Tinubu, on allegations of involvement in drug dealing in the United States of America.
According to the court, President Tinubu had been cleared of such allegations by the Nigeria Police Force through an enquiry made to the US law enforcement, thereby making the allegation baseless.
The court added that Tinubu does not have a criminal case in the US as evidenced by his entry and exit in the country, even though he forfeited money to the government in the case under review.
Earlier, the Court had dismissed a suit seeking to disqualify the election of President Bola Tinubu due to an allegation that Vice President Kashim Shettima was still a senatorial candidate in Borno State at the same time he was nominated as his running mate.
Lead Jurist, Justice Haruna Tsamani, however, ruled against this claim saying that it was baseless.
“There exists no display of intention by the fourth respondent (Mr Shettima) to stand as the nominated candidate of the second respondent (Mr Tinubu) for the vice presidential position and also the senator representing Borno Central district in the general elections of February 25, 2022,” he declared.
Justice Tsamani also added that the courts decision cannot be challenged by other opposing parties.
“No person is permitted to further litigate on it in any action or proceeding. It is therefore settled and remain settled that this petition which questions the qualification and seeks to disqualify third and 4th respondents (Messrs Tinubu and Shettima, respectively) from contesting as president and vice president of Nigeria on grounds of double and multiple nominations has no substance.”
