…By Jack Sylva for TDPel Media.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticized the recent lawsuit seeking to halt the inauguration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the president of Nigeria, referring to it as “frivolous and vexatious.”
The Legal Director of the dissolved Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, Babatunde Ogala (SAN), expressed this sentiment in response to the adjournment of the case by Justice Inyang Ekwo.
Controversy over the Lawsuit:
The lawsuit aims to prevent the swearing-in of former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu as the president of Nigeria, citing concerns related to the allocation of 25% of votes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The plaintiffs, Anyaegbunam Okoye, David Adzer, Jeffery Ucheh, Osang Paul, and Chibuike Nwachukwu, identify themselves as registered voters of the FCT.
APC’s Response:
Babatunde Ogala, one of the lawyers representing the ruling APC, criticized the suit, asserting that electoral issues fall under the jurisdiction of an election tribunal.
He emphasized that the lawyer who filed the lawsuit should be held accountable for allowing himself to be influenced by external parties attempting to disrupt a case already before the tribunal.
Disciplinary Questions and Waste of Time:
Ogala expressed his disapproval of the application, suggesting that the lawyer responsible should face disciplinary inquiries from the court and the legal profession.
He emphasized that the matter in question has already been sealed by the Court of Appeal and is within the jurisdiction of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT).
Ogala labeled the application as frivolous, vexatious, and a waste of time, insinuating that it was an attempt to rewrite the law due to dissatisfaction with the election outcome.
Analysis:
The dismissal of the lawsuit by the APC underscores the party’s confidence in the legitimacy of Bola Tinubu’s candidacy and its belief that the case lacks merit.
The party asserts that the appropriate forum for addressing electoral issues is the election tribunal, highlighting the need for legal processes to be followed in such matters.
The strong condemnation of the lawyer responsible for filing the application indicates the APC’s frustration with what they perceive as an attempt to undermine the established legal procedures and interfere with the inauguration process.
The party accuses the lawyer of wasting time and attempting to rewrite the law to suit the interests of a disgruntled client or candidate.
This development highlights the contentious nature of electoral disputes and the potential for legal challenges to disrupt the political landscape.
It also underscores the importance of adhering to established legal channels and respecting the decisions of higher courts in resolving electoral matters.
The outcome of this lawsuit will have implications for the political future of Bola Tinubu and may shape the dynamics of the upcoming presidential election.