The controversy surrounding the 2023 Nigerian presidential election seems to be quite intense, with various figures and institutions weighing in on different aspects. Here’s a brief summary of the key points:
Election Results**: Bola Tinubu was declared the winner of the presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission. Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party respectively came second and third.
Contesting the Results**: Both Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi filed petitions against Tinubu’s declaration, citing issues like failure to conduct polls in compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022. They are also challenging Tinubu’s eligibility to run for the office.
Taking the Battle to the U.S**: Atiku Abubakar is looking to obtain more information about Tinubu’s academic records at Chicago State University, particularly regarding the authenticity of his claims about his education there.
The move to a U.S court has elicited varied reactions:
– Mike Ozekhome, a human rights lawyer, supports Atiku’s move, calling it a “good development.”
– Kennedy Khanoba, a constitutional lawyer, suggests that unless Tinubu is convicted in the U.S, Atiku’s efforts might be futile.
– Jackson Ojo, a political analyst, emphasizes the sovereign status of Nigeria, suggesting that a U.S court’s ruling might not directly impact the Nigerian elections.
Implication of U.S Verdict**: Some believe that even if the U.S court rules against Tinubu, it won’t directly affect the election results in Nigeria. But Atiku’s loyalist, Mustapha Shehu, argues that evidence from the U.S court could be valuable in a Supreme Court case.
Views on Nigerian Judiciary**: Auwal Rafsanjani, the Executive Director of Transparency International in Nigeria, suggests that Atiku’s move to seek legal recourse in the U.S is indicative of Nigerians’ waning trust in their country’s judiciary system.
The narrative highlights the complexities of the Nigerian political scene and raises questions about the integrity of its institutions, the veracity of political claims, and the role international entities might play in its internal affairs.
