Somto Bisina
In a significant ruling on Friday, the Supreme Court upheld the decisions of the lower courts, dismissing the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) case against the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The apex court determined that the PDP lacked the legal standing, or locus standi, to institute such a case. Justice Adamu Jauro, who delivered the judgment, described the PDP’s actions as those of a meddlesome interloper and a busybody, emphasizing that the matter was an internal affair of the APC.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Supreme Court not only dismissed the case for lacking merit but also awarded a sum of two million naira (N2,000,000) against the PDP.
The justices expressed their disappointment with the appellant’s misleading conduct, considering it a regrettable and saddening move.
The PDP’s attempt to utilize social media as a means to blackmail the apex court was heavily criticized and deemed unfortunate and unnecessary.
One of the key arguments put forth by the PDP was that the nomination of Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate violated certain provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.
However, the Court drew attention to a similar situation involving Uche Nwosu, where the court’s decision was made known at that time and was fully understood by all parties.
The justices unanimously held that the PDP’s case was destined to fail from the trial court to the Court of Appeal and ultimately to the Supreme Court.
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Furthermore, the Supreme Court reiterated the principle that a political party has no right to challenge the actions or decisions of another party or the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding another party.
The court stressed that only a neutral person who aspires to the position in question and is a member of the concerned party has the legal standing to challenge the nomination process of a political party.
By reminding the PDP of past instances, such as Atiku Abubakar’s case in 1999, the Supreme Court emphasized that there had been no significant change in the circumstances.
In that case, Atiku’s running mate, Boni Haruna, assumed the governorship nomination, and despite INEC’s proposal for a fresh election, the party opposed it until it reached the Supreme Court. The court posed a rhetorical question to the opposition party, highlighting the lack of substantial differences since 1999.
