The Peoples Democratic Party PDP has instituted a lawsuit compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to prevent the All Progressives Congress Presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu; and Labour Party standard bearer, Peter Obi, from replacing their running mates with Senator Kashim Shettima and Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed respectively.
The PDP is also asking the court to declare that Tinubu and Obi be disqualified unless they contest alongside their previous running mates – Kabiru Masari and Doyin Okupe respectively.
In the originating summons filed before the federal high court in Abuja, the PDP is seeking an order preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission from replacing the running mates of Tinubu and Obi.
Tinubu had nominated Masari as a surrogate running mate in order to beat the June 17 INEC deadline. Obi had also nominated his campaign manager, Okupe, as an interim running mate that the term ‘placeholder’ is unknown to Nigerian law.
However, INEC gave a grace period of about one month to substitute their names.
After weeks of consultations, Tinubu and Obi nominated Shettima and Baba-Ahmed respectively while Masari and Okupe resigned.
PDP is seeking five reliefs including a declaration that by the combined interpretation of Section 142(1) of the constitution, Section 29(1), 31 and 33 of the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC’s timetable, both Tinubu and Obi be bound by their submission.
The party also asked the court to determine if by the combined interpretation of Section 142(1) of the constitution, Section 29(1), 31 and 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s timetable, Tinubu and Obi are bound by the submission of Masari and Okupe respectively as their running mates.
Parties in the suit are INEC, APC, Tinubu, Masari, Labour Party, Obi and Okupe.
Editor Paul Akhagbemhe
