The Nigerian Electoral Tribunal has recently made a shocking revelation that could significantly change the outcome of the previous presidential election held in the country which is currently been contested in the Tribunal. According to reports from the tribunal, only presidential candidates who received at least 25 percent of the total votes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) during the elections will qualify to be declared as the president of Nigeria.
The update has come as a significant blow to the major political parties in the country, especially the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), whose candidates are believed to have lost out on the race to the presidency due to this requirement.
The tribunal hearing, which is currently ongoing in Abuja, revealed that only the Presidential Candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, was able to receive over 25 percent of the votes in the FCT, as reported by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The revelation, which was confirmed by a witness from the PDP during a cross-examination on Monday June 5, is believed to be a compulsory condition stated in the Nigerian constitution, making it non-negotiable for the Electoral Tribunal.
Many Nigerians have expressed their shock and disappointment at this new development, as they believe it could potentially change the outcome of the previous presidential election and affect the country’s political future.
The Electoral Tribunal has yet to make an official statement regarding the impact of this update on the presidential candidates, but it remains to be seen how this new requirement will be enforced and its impact on the political landscape of Nigeria.
The Nigerian Electoral Tribunal’s update on the 25 percent requirement in the FCT could potentially change the outcome of Nigeria’s previous presidential election and affect the country’s political landscape for years to come. It remains to be seen how this new requirement will be applied and enforced by the Electoral Tribunal and its impact on the political future of Nigeria.
According to the news emanating from the Nigerian Electoral Tribunal holding in Abuja, The update stated that in order to be declared as president of Nigeria, a candidate must receive at least 25 percent of the total votes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) during the elections.
This news has come as a shock to many, particularly to the major political parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), whose candidates failed to meet this requirement in the February 25 elections.
According to reports, only the Presidential Candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, was able to receive over 25 percent of the votes in the FCT. This means that both PDP’s Atiku Abubakar and APC’s Bola Tinubu may not have qualified to be declared as president of Nigeria, despite being the declared top contenders in the elections.
During a cross-examination on Monday June 5, a witness of the PDP confirmed that the 25 percent requirement was a compulsory condition stated in the Nigerian constitution. The witness also admitted that his candidate did not score 25 percent of the votes in the FCT, based on the result published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
It remains to be seen how this update will impact the Presidential Electoral Tribunal currently sitting in Abuja, Nigeria.
