In a high-stakes legal battle, Obi has firmly alleged that the 2023 presidential election held in February was marred by rigging in approximately 18,088 polling units. He also raised concerns about alleged overvoting in specific parts of the South West region. This development came after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Yakubu Mahmood, declared Bola Tinubu as the president-elect with 8,794,726 votes. Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi of the PDP and Labour Party respectively secured 6,984,520 votes and 6,101,533 votes.
The tribunal proceedings, led by Justice Haruna Tsammani, reached a crucial point on August 1st, with the final written addresses from the legal representatives of INEC, Obi, President Bola Tinubu, Kashim Shettima, and the All Progressives Congress presented. Justice Haruna Tsammani adjourned the session in anticipation of the forthcoming judgment.
With the verdict hanging in the balance, a fervent supporter of the Labour party and Obi, identified as Harry from Milan, issued a stern warning on Twitter, aimed at the judges on the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) panel. Harry shared a photograph of the judge’s family alongside his message, urging the judges to maintain their integrity and resist any form of compromise.
In his tweet, he stated: “Hello Justice Tsammani! I know people will say this is blackmail or whitemail or LGTV mail, I don’t give flying hoot. This is to let you and every judge on the PEPT Panel know that if you get compromised, lemme [sic] reserve my thoughts. DON’T LET THE DEVIL USE YOU AGAINST YOURSELF cos the implosion go loud.”
As the public awaits the tribunal’s judgment, the pressure is on to ensure the impartiality and integrity of the process, with the hope that justice will prevail and the sanctity of the democratic process will be upheld.