AS the Supreme Court today hears the appeals challenging the electoral victory of President Bola Tinubu, the ruling All Progressives Congress has expressed confidence that the President will come out victorious.
Tinubu’s victory in the February 25 presidential poll is being challenged by the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party.
The opposition parties had earlier lost at the Presidential Election Petitions Court where they first challenged Tinubu’s victory.
Displeased with the verdict of the PEPC, both parties and their candidates, Atiku Abubakar (PDP) and Peter Obi (LP) proceeded to the Supreme Court, which has fixed today for hearing.
Speaking on Sunday ahead of today’s hearing, the APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, told this newspaper that the opposition would lose again.
He said, “We are expecting justice and I know the Supreme Court Justices are just. They are going to look at the cases on merit. So, we are optimistic that justice is going to be done just as was done earlier on (tribunal judgment).
“We are not expecting anything different from a just and fair ruling. Whatever may be the case, my confidence is in the judicial system of Nigeria. So, I am consoled that justice will be delivered and whoever wins or loses should take it in good faith.
“But as a party, the APC is confident the Supreme Court is going to be just.”
But the PDP expressed optimism that the Supreme Court will sack Tinubu and declare Atiku as winner.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement on Sunday, said, “Nigerians and indeed the whole world look forward to the Supreme Court for justice in the hope that the court will apply the laws, including the express provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022 and INEC Guidelines and Regulations in delivering substantial justice in the matter.
“The earnest expectation of Nigerians and lovers of democracy across the world is that the Supreme Court will use this case to firmly validate the maxim that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man.
“Nigerians are, therefore, optimistic that the Supreme Court will dispense substantial justice according to the law and the facts in the appeal.”
Meanwhile, the Allied Peoples Movement also urged the Supreme Court to nullify the election of Tinubu, saying his running mate was not validly nominated.
According to the party, the placeholder nominated by the President, Ibrahim Masari, was not replaced within the 14 days stipulated by Section 33 of the Electoral Act.
The APM also said the tribunal was wrong to have held that the nomination and sponsorship of Tinubu and Kashim Shettima were APC internal affairs.