The Nigeria’s Big Game Tomorrow – A Presidential Election Tribunal Ruling

Do not underestimate the implications of tomorrow’s Nigeria’s Presidential Election Tribunal ruling. The soul of a nation is on the altar of justice. Left or Right, Nigeria will be redefined. This is the most important ruling in the history of this Tribunal since 1999.

I am looking for how the judges will rule considering that in 18,000 polling stations, the results were blurred, with the total accredited voters above the margin of APC victory over PDP. In Abia (2015), Osun (201x), Kano (2019), and countless races, when the margin of victory is below the total accredited voters, you request a re-rerun in the affected areas . Because INEC does not have those results, PDP has a real case.

Do you know the exact time this ruling game will begin? I cannot wait because it is going to be like Nigeria playing at the World Cup Finals, with everyone connecting.

Comment on Feed

Comment 1: Prof., Yes,18,000 polling was blurred on IREV server but in osun election case, the court rule that IREV is not the primary source of counting valid votes. Also, the opposition party didn’t provide evidence from their agents or police showing they won the 18,000 polling unit. In all honesty, the opposition didn’t present a good case and was very disorganised during election i.e no coordination room where agents from the field sent there hard copy results, many polloing units across the country, they have no agents and none of the opposition score 25% in 24 states.

My Response:” in Osun election case, the court rule that IREV is not the primary source of counting valid votes. ” – you may be confusing the ruling with the recent one for the latest Osun elections. My reference is for the previous election in Osun, which the current governor lost; that was the case as INEC did a re-run. Indeed, there was no contest on IREV or whatever as they did a re-run. Check the data.

They do not need to provide if INEC does not have the result. In all the former rulings, all you needed to establish was: margin of victory below accredited voters. You never ask to be declared winner; rather, you ask for a re-run. So, the issue is being declared by claiming you win. The matter here is on what basis did INEC call the results when it did not hold elections in those areas since it had no results!

Comment 2: I do not think this narrative here is consistent with the argument in court unless you’d throw more light on the 18,000 Polling Booths issues.

While the result sheets in 18,000 Polling Booths were blurry (on IREV), their interpretation can not be compared to the cases you cited. In those cases, it was established that the margin issues were known and can be inferred. The burden of proof will most likely play out.

The jaundiced nature of the process makes it bad and both LP and/or PDP could have bring out the certified copies of the 18,000 polling units (from their Agent) and made a stronger case. They weren’t able to do that.

By and large, as long as the party in power continues to nominate who runs INEC, it will take a gang-up (like what happened to GEJ in 2015) to win them with the existing Electoral Acts. It’s similar problems in majority of the States where the party in power always win the Local Government elections.

My Response: “The burden of proof will most likely play out.” – what do you need to prove if not to show the accredited number of voters and the margin of victory?

“I’d appreciate any Obi fanatics to…” – that is not necessary. Can we debate things in Nigeria on its merit and forget always reading meanings into allegiances? If we’re fearful of even commenting on simple things, we lose the nation.

My Response: “The jaundiced nature of the process makes it bad and both LP and/or PDP could have bring out the certified copies of the 18,000 polling units (from their Agent) and made a stronger case. ‘ technicality I guess. But looking from the other angle, INEC was unable to also provide evidence on its call. That is why as noted, I am going to see how they rule on it. If INEC cannot provide the data to support its ruling, it does mean, in future elections, you can upload tissue papers, allocate results and declare winners.

Comment 4: Were you really expecting an intelligent discuss when your 2nd paragraph already exposes a bias? It would have helped to stay neutral at this point since the various parties have provided evidence and made their pleas. Same way you isolated the arguments of one side, you must know that the other side also presented evidence to support its claim, including attacking the evidence provided by the claimants. The judges will consider all in coming to their decision. Stacking obstacles against the judges as you have done, choosing to amplify one part’s submission, isn’t helpful.

My Response: I am neutral and apolitical. But I do not think anything is off-limits. If you have a superior point, make it. Political ruling is what we discuss daily here, from Osun to Kano to Abia, etc. You think discussing this is off-limit, I say it is unfortunate. Everyone in Nigeria is intimidated because that is how we want our nation to be. A SAN was asked a simple question on TV, he stammered.

What is wrong with we Nigerians? That discussing a court case is seen as treacherous. Tell them that is not how Ndubuisi lives. That I am waiting to see how a court will rule on a case is biased for you?