The 2023 general elections in Nigeria have come and gone but not without associated remarks trailing its conduct.
While the Presidential and National Assembly polls were held on February 25, 2023, the State Assemblies election followed on March 18, 2023. Winners have emerged, the same as the losers.
However, as the winners have successfully been issued their Certificates of Return from the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the winners have headed to Court to seek redress, although some had accepted the outcome.
As part of the arrangements earmarked to handle the cases related to elections was the Tribunal.
The entire scenario surrounding this election petition is highly intriguing, and many individuals have proposed various interpretations of section 134 of the Constitution. Now, let’s figure out what’s wrong.
1. Mr. Obi claims he won the election on the basis of 25% of the FCT while questioning the legitimacy of Mr. Tinubu and Mr. Shittima, claiming they were unqualified to occupy the Presidency’s office.
2. Mr. Atiku Abubakar claims that his votes were rigged. Meanwhile, Mr. Obi finished third! Will Mr. Atiku concur with Mr. Obi? Many commentators who have appeared in the media have yet to respond to this question.
The technological issue is evident and can be fixed if both parties are prepared to work together. What are the technical issues? The ballot papers, BVAS, IREV, and polling agents from each party are the technical issues.
3. Mr. Tinubu has nothing to do with the technological issues because he is not an INEC official. The key institution to be challenged, it must be stated, is the INEC. Mr. Obi should do what is necessary and do the right thing.
4. How many states did Mr. Obi win if he claimed to have won the election? Will the court decide in his favor because he received 25% of the FCT? Is Nigeria’s state treating FCT as an electoral college in the same way that the United States does? Will the Atiku camp throw in the towel? We should remember that he came in second place. The Tinubu camp will accept this because they did not receive the 25% FCT and will walk out despite having the most votes and winning many states in the Federation. Let us confront reality because the constitution does not indicate that the FCT shall be considered a unique state or given preferential status over other states. It is not mutually agreed upon.
5. The inability of many Nigerians to accept the president-elect as their leader is a result of their conviction that no changes will be made due to the current administration’s performance. This is referred to as the adaptive challenge diagnosis. The hypothesis of presuming that the incoming administration will fail and the fear of facing reality and adapting to the new system that will be established to advance the nation. In order for us to move forward and adapt to the circumstance that is favorable, we need to utilize a diagnostic method to adaptive problems. Instead of creating needless situations that will end in nothing, let the entire population of Nigeria join forces to support the incoming administration in achieving greatness for our nation.
Source by: Babajide A. Martins Faleru. Freelance writer. London School of Journalism Alumni
Email: bamfale769@yahoo.co.uk
