Rights Group Faults Declaration Of Tinubu As Poll Winner

Voters Rights Association of Nigeria (VRAN), has described as null and void the result of the presidential election declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), announcing Sen Bola Tinubu winner.

In a press statement, president of the association and human rights lawyer, Dr Jezue Ekejiuba, stressed that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, as the 37th state in Nigeria must be won by a presidential candidate before such a candidate can be declared a president-elect of Nigeria. 

According to Dr Ekejiuba, “It is not a question of if Section 134 (2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) is tested in court. It is all about interpreting the simple provision of the constitution in the court of law to right the wrong visited on the Nigerian voters by INEC.” 

Ekejiuba further declared that, “In Gani Fawehinmi’s case, the Supreme Court held that every citizen of Nigeria has locus standi to approach a court of law for purpose of interpreting the provision of the constitution. 

“Going to court to interpret a provision of the constitution is not a pre-election or post-election matter. As such, all the citizens of Nigeria aggrieved with the election outcome, especially a violation of the constitution, are free to go to court to seek redress.

“Some legal minds have cited some Supreme Court and Court of Appeal decisions which held that the FCT, Abuja, is a state. Nobody is querying with this decision. It is true that Abuja is the 37th state or one of the 37 states of Nigeria. 

“But even if Tinubu of APC wins 25 per cent of votes cast in 36 states of Nigeria, Section 134 (2) (b) specifically provided that winning Abuja State is a condition precedent for him to be declared president-elect at the first ballot. 

“Interestingly, the INEC’s tally was based on 2/3 of 36 States, which is 24 states. The extra 6 states tallied for the so-called election winner as having won 25 per cent spread vote does not legally count in the eyes of the law. 

“Why did INEC not tally the vote based on figure of 37 states? INEC has no power to exclude FCT, Abuja as a must 25 per cent-win. 

“Section 134(2)(b) is clear and simple. FCT, Abuja with a state-status is a must 25 per cent-win, otherwise the declaration of Tinubu as president-elect of Nigeria is null and void ab initio.”