2019 Poll: Tribunal Dismisses Atiku’s Petition Challenging Buhari’s Re-election

The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal has dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the 2019 Presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, who challenging the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in its entirety.

In its ruling, Justice Mohammed Garba, who led the five-man panel, dismissed the petition in its entirety and the parties are to bear their respective cost.

“This petition is accordingly and hereby dismissed in its entirety.”

However, four judges out of five agreed with the lead judgement.

The Tribunal had earlier in the day ruled that President Buhari was ’eminently qualified’ to contest the 2019 elections in a suit instituted by the (PDP) and Atiku.

They had contended that Buhari did not possess the minimum qualifications to contest the election.

In its judgement, the tribunal ruled that the petitioners were unable to prove their claim in court and reasoned that Buhari’s career in the army was only possible because he had a school leaving certificate.

The tribunal also earlier in the day dismissed the argument by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that Atiku was not a Nigerian by birth.

Ruling on the matter, the tribunal said its power does not include determining the qualification of a petitioner in an election dispute and held that the respondents ought to file a cross-petition against the qualification of Atiku for the February 23 poll and not to use it as a defence.