We’ve Moved On From Supreme Court Judgment – LP

The Labour Party (LP) has officially accepted the Supreme Court’s ruling affirming the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the February 25th election.

Julius Abure, the LP National Chairman, voiced the party’s decision and criticized the Supreme Court’s verdict, alleging that it undermined the principles of justice and moral integrity.

The five-man panel of justices, led by Justice John Okoro, had rejected LP’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi’s appeal, which sought to challenge Tinubu’s election win. Obi had pushed for the disqualification of Vice President Kashim Shettima, claiming double nomination made him ineligible to be Tinubu’s running mate.

Justice Okoro, however, ruled that the matter of double nomination had already been decided upon by the apex court while it was before a lower court.

“This matter ought not to have come here. When the matter was pending at the trial court, this court delivered judgment on it. This appeal lacks merit and is hereby dismissed,” the court stated.

The Supreme Court similarly dismissed the appeal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who was contesting Tinubu’s victory.

Abure expressed the LP’s disappointment with the Supreme Court’s decision while holding on to hope for the future.

This development marks a crucial moment in the post-election landscape, as the LP grapples with the aftermath of a closely-watched legal battle, ultimately choosing to move forward in the wake of the Supreme Court’s judgment.

A statement by Abure reads partly: “The leadership of Labour Party watched as the sacred fabric of justice and good conscience was shredded today at the Supreme Court as it delivered its verdict in the case between our party, the presidential candidate and the APC presidential candidate.

“We are indeed very shocked and surprised that even the apex Court will toe the line of an earlier judgement in spite of all the flaws associated with the judgement delivered by the Presidential Election Appeal Tribunal.

“Having conclusively exercised our fundamental rights as gifted to us by the laws of the land, we have no other choice but to move on. We may be disappointed and dismayed by the outcome of the exercise, but we have chosen to trudge on and to remain optimistic of what the future holds for the nation.

“We weep for our institutions that cannot rise to the occasion and courageously defend democracy and the voices of our people.”