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

Nigerians are awaiting 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 and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 presidential election.

The judgment is to be delivered 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, 2019 presidential election.

The petitioners disputed the result and asked the tribunal to overturn Buhari’s victory, while Buhari, the APC and INEC defended the outcome and urged the court to dismiss the petition.

The five justices responsible for determining the case are Justice Mohammed Garba, Justice Abdul Aboki, Justice Joseph Ikyegh, Justice Samuel Oseji and Justice Peter Olabisi Ige.

Justice Garba, who serves as the presiding justice of the panel, was attached to the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal.

Justice Abdul Aboki was from the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, while Justice Joseph Ikyegh served in the Benin Division.

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

The tribunal’s decision was expected to determine whether Buhari’s re-election would stand or whether any of the reliefs sought by Atiku and the PDP would be granted.

The case attracted widespread national attention because of its potential political consequences for both the APC and PDP, with supporters of the rival parties closely awaiting the verdict.