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The People's Democratic Party (PDP) expressed its deep disappointment with the Supreme Court's verdict regarding the appeals filed by Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Peter Obi of the Labour Party. The Supreme Court dismissed these appeals, stating that they lacked merit.

In a statement signed by the PDP's spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, the party conveyed its concerns about the Supreme Court's reasoning. The PDP believed that the judgment contradicted the express provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act, 2022, and the guidelines and regulations set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2023 presidential election.

The party criticized the Supreme Court for what it perceived as a failure to uphold the law. The PDP emphasized that many Nigerians had expected the Supreme Court to uphold the constitutional requirements for a presidential election in Nigeria, including the need to secure at least 25% of votes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). They also raised concerns about violations of electoral rules, manipulations of election results by the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the condoning of issues related to forgery, falsehood, and perjury based on technicalities.

The PDP expressed its deep concerns about the overall impact of the Supreme Court's judgment, as it seemed to have shaken Nigerians' confidence in the judiciary, especially in the Supreme Court's role as the last hope for the common people.

Despite this disappointment, the PDP urged Nigerians not to be discouraged and to remain committed to the pursuit of a credible electoral system that genuinely reflects the will of the people.

In summary, the PDP's statement highlighted its dismay at the Supreme Court's judgment and its concern for the implications it holds for Nigeria's democracy. It also emphasized the importance of continuing the pursuit of transparent and credible elections.

In the latest legal development concerning the 2023 general election in Nigeria, the Supreme Court has upheld Bola Tinubu's election as the President of the country. This decision comes after challenging appeals by his major opponents, Atiku Abubakar of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party.

Atiku and Obi had originally sought to have the election results overturned, arguing that they should be declared winners instead. They approached the election tribunal to nullify Tinubu's victory as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). These appeals were dismissed, prompting them to bring their case to the Supreme Court.

At the Supreme Court, Atiku attempted to introduce new evidence of alleged forgery against Tinubu. However, the court dismissed this appeal on Thursday, citing that the issue of forgery was not part of the initial appeal presented at the tribunal, and the time allotted for filing new evidence had already expired.

Justice John Okoro further explained that the appellants did not apply for an extension of time or request to amend their appeal to include the issue of forgery, and even if they had, it wouldn't have been granted. He emphasized that the lower court, guided by the provisions of section 285 Sub 6 of the state constitution, had lost jurisdiction in dealing with the matter.

One of the arguments presented was that Tinubu couldn't be declared President as he had failed to secure 25% of the votes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Tribunal, which ruled that Abuja/FCT should be considered as the 37th state for the purpose of calculating the two-thirds majority needed to declare a presidential candidate as the election winner.

Regarding the electronic transmission of results, the Supreme Court ruled that the election couldn't be nullified due to the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) failure to transmit results electronically. Justice Okoro stated that the absence of electronic result transmission (iREV) couldn't be used as grounds for election nullification, as it hadn't affected the overall election results.

Additionally, the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by Peter Obi, who sought to disqualify Tinubu over the double nomination of Vice President Kashim Shettima. The justices noted that this matter had already been addressed in a previous Supreme Court judgment.

This recent Supreme Court ruling adds another chapter to the legal disputes surrounding Nigeria's 2023 presidential election. In May, the Supreme Court had previously dismissed a suit filed by the PDP, stating that the party lacked locus standi to bring the case to court.

The authenticity of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Diploma Certificate, which he claimed to have obtained from Chicago State University (CSU), continues to be a subject of controversy. Tinubu had used this certificate to secure clearance for his participation in the 2023 presidential election under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a recent development, Mr. Carl Westberg, a high-ranking official of CSU and the university's Registrar, made a significant revelation. He stated under oath that the replacement copy of the Diploma certificate submitted by Tinubu to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was not issued by the institution. Westberg testified as a subpoenaed witness in accordance with an order from Judge Nancy Maldonado. This testimony was in support of the court's directive to release Tinubu's academic records to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Atiku had challenged the APC candidate's victory in the February 25, 2023 presidential election on various grounds, including the allegation that Tinubu had submitted forged documents to INEC to qualify for the election.

To substantiate his claim, Atiku sought a court order in the United States compelling CSU to release Tinubu's academic records for verification and authentication. The U.S. court granted Atiku's request, and as part of the compliance with the court's order, Westberg testified under oath.

During his testimony, Westberg indicated that the Diploma certificate, which Tinubu claimed to have obtained from CSU and used for his electoral clearance, was not an authentic document of the university. He even noted discrepancies, such as the absence of a board of trustees at the institution in 1979, contrary to what Tinubu's certificate stated.

Moreover, when questioned about the signatures on other certificates issued in 1979 compared to the one Tinubu submitted to INEC, Westberg acknowledged variations in signature, logo, and seal. Specifically, he pointed out that the signature on the replacement certificate matched those on certificates issued in the 1990s, not the 1979 certificates as claimed by the President.

As a result of this testimony, a certified true copy of the deposition and cross-examination is expected to be provided to Atiku. This evidence is crucial in further substantiating his allegation of forgery against Tinubu.

It's worth noting that the final phase of Atiku's case, seeking the disqualification of Tinubu from the 2023 presidential election, is currently pending before the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The Free Nigeria Movement (FNM) has expressed its belief that the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal represents the last hope for many Nigerians who have lost faith in the country due to the controversial outcome of the presidential election. In a statement issued by the group's Convener, Moses Paul, FNM charged the tribunal to conduct its proceedings with justice, equity, and fairness, without any deviation from due process.

Paul warned that FNM would not hesitate to protest against any fraudulent outcome from the tribunal. He highlighted the challenge of character that Nigeria currently faces, and criticized the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, for demonstrating a disregard for the country's laws, including the Electoral Act of 2022 (as amended).

FNM emphasized that the judges at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) are aware of the high level of political consciousness that was evident during the last general elections, particularly the presidential election of 25th February 2023, and the apathy that characterized the gubernatorial election that followed. The group believes that this should be a cause for concern for both the judges and all Nigerians, and that it should guide their decisions when adjudicating on the matters before them.

The Convener called on the judiciary, through the judges of the PEPC, to be the voice of reason and save Nigeria's democracy from collapse. In conclusion, FNM hopes that the tribunal will uphold justice and fairness in its proceedings, and that its final decision will reflect the will of the people.

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State following his re-election for a second term and believes the development is an indication of the people’s choice.

Akeredolu was on Sunday declared the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement on Sunday quoted his principal as saying “the people know the person and party that truly serves them, and have spoken in [a] clear voice and unmistakable terms.”

The Nigerian President noted that Akeredolu’s win coupled with the number of votes he got, “show that one good turn surely deserves another.”

While calling on Akeredolu who was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the poll to be humble and magnanimous in victory, he urged him to serve the people, stressing that “when you serve with heart and might, the people respond in like manner, and we can easily get to where we are headed as a country.”

Buhari was equally full of praise for voters in Ondo State for conducting themselves decently, saying the development shows Nigeria is making progress in its electoral process behaviour.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) also received praises from the Nigerian leader.

He lauded the electoral body for conducting a free and fair election, just as Buhari commended security agencies for enthroning and maintaining orderliness before, during and after the exercise.

 The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it was not aware the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the Returning Officer for Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo.

The commission said it neither received any letter nor communication from the main opposition party on its rejection of Prof. Eyitope Ogungbenro Ogunbodede, the Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).

INEC spokesman in Ondo, Babalola Lebile, told The Nation he was hearing the said rejection for the first time.

The PDP on Thursday afternoon said the people of Ondo would not be getting free and fair elections with the present composition of INEC.

Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council, Governor Seyi Makinde, who spoke at a briefing in Akure said Prof. Ogunbodede was a known crony of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and also hails from Owo, hometown of Akeredolu.

Makinde, who insisted that Prof. Ogunbodede would not be a fair party in the proceedings by virtue of his association with Akeredolu, called on INEC to immediately replace him.