S’ Court dismisses PDP’s suit challenging Tinubu’s eligibility
The Supreme Court has dismissed a suit filed by the People’s Democratic Party challenging the eligibility of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu to contest the presidential election that was held on February 25th.
Delivering judgment the Supreme Court held that the issue of locus is important.
A plaintiff’s locus is linked with the court’s jurisdiction.
A plaintiff must show harm or substantial harm done to him by the action he is complaining about.
The appellant relied greatly on section 248(14c) of the constitution.
This section deprived the appellant of the locus as its bars interference of political parties into the affairs of other political parties.
The appellant did not participate in the election or nomination of the 4th respondent( Shettima.
Section 84 of the electoral act only empowers an aspirant of a political party to institute an action in a pre-election matter.
No political party can challenge the Nomination of the candidates of another political party, no matter how pained any person may be on how a political party nominated its candidate, the person must remain an onlooker.
The determination of a pre-election matter has a time limit, the 180 of the trial court to exercise its jurisdiction and the 60 days for the appellate court to exercise its jurisdiction has lapsed.
The suit was a waste of judicious time of the court.
A cost of N2million is awarded against the plaintiff in Favour of the respondents.
