25% FCT Votes: “Abuja Not Special Than Other States” – Tribunal Dismisses Peter Obi’s Petition

The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal has dismissed a petition filed by Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election.

The tribunal, under the leadership of Justice Haruna Tsammani, ruled that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) does not hold a special status distinct from the other 36 states of the federation when it comes to the 25% votes requirement in the presidential election held on February 25.

During the last election, Peter Obi secured approximately 59% of the votes cast, while neither President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (19%) nor Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (15%) attained the required threshold.

In response to the requirement claims made by the LP and Peter Obi, the five-member panel, during its session in Abuja on Wednesday, stated that FCT residents do not possess any special privileges, as asserted by the petitioners.

The panel referred to Section 134 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which mandates that a presidential candidate must secure a majority of votes cast in a presidential election, in situations where two or more candidates are involved.

The judge stated that the candidate must obtain at least 25% support in two-thirds of the 36 states and the FCT to meet the constitutional requirement for being declared duly elected as President of Nigeria.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Presidential Tribunal also ruled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was not obligated to transmit election results electronically.