The Labour Party (LP) has raised serious concerns, asserting that the Supreme Court has allegedly failed to deliver judgment on the appeal filed by its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in the case against President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the party’s National Secretary, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, the LP contends that the apex court only rendered a judgment on the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), leaving the fate of the LP’s case uncertain.
This development comes in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s dismissal of petitions filed by both the LP and PDP on October 26, seeking to nullify the election of President Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Despite the simultaneous dismissal of the LP and PDP petitions, the LP alleges that the Supreme Court’s handling of their appeal was marred by irregularities.
The LP statement reveals that after Presiding Justice, His Lordship John Inyang Okoro JSC, read the judgment on PDP’s appeal, he “verbally stated that the decision in the LP appeal would abide by the judgment just delivered in respect of the PDP appeal.”
This sequence of events has prompted the LP to declare the situation as unprecedented and unacceptable.
Expressing their dismay, the LP characterized the Supreme Court’s conduct as embarrassing and depressing, emphasizing that the refusal to deliver any judgment and the failure to provide the party with a copy of the decision is a breach of their constitutional right to a fair hearing.
The party believes that such a failure compromises the integrity of the judicial process and undermines the principles of justice and transparency.
The LP’s assertion raises critical questions about the procedural fairness and transparency of the Supreme Court’s handling of electoral appeals, especially those with significant implications for the country’s political landscape.
As the LP voices its concerns over the alleged breach of its constitutional rights, the incident adds to the ongoing discourse around the efficacy and accountability of the judicial system in upholding the principles of justice and ensuring a fair and impartial adjudication process.
The ramifications of this development extend beyond the specific case of Obi vs. Tinubu, bringing into focus broader issues of judicial transparency, accountability, and the safeguarding of constitutional rights in the context of electoral disputes.
The unfolding events will undoubtedly prompt further scrutiny of the judiciary’s role in upholding the rule of law and ensuring a level playing field in the nation’s democratic processes.
