Buhari vs Atiku: Five Justices to Decide APC, PDP’s Fate

Tension has continued to build as Nigerians await the final judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in the case filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, challenging the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 presidential election.

The highly anticipated judgment will be determined by a five-member panel of Justices of the Court of Appeal led by Justice Mohammed Garba.

Atiku and the PDP approached the tribunal after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Buhari winner of the February 23 presidential election.

The petitioners rejected the outcome and asked the tribunal to invalidate Buhari’s victory, while Buhari, the APC and INEC urged the panel to dismiss the petition and uphold the declared result.

The five justices who will determine the case are Justice Mohammed Garba, Justice Abdul Aboki, Justice Joseph Ikyegh, Justice Samuel Oseji and Justice Peter Olabisi Ige.

Justice Mohammed Garba, who served with the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal, is the presiding justice of the five-member panel.

Justice Abdul Aboki was attached to the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, while Justice Joseph Ikyegh served with the Benin Division.

Justice Samuel Oseji was also from the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal, while Justice Peter Olabisi Ige served with the Abuja Division.

The tribunal’s judgment is expected to determine whether Buhari’s re-election will stand or whether the court will grant any of the reliefs sought by Atiku and the PDP.

With supporters of both the APC and PDP closely following proceedings, the judgment has attracted nationwide attention because of its significance to the outcome of the 2019 presidential contest.