Group Faults INEC For Declaring Tinubu President Despite Less Than 25 Percent In FCT

A group, Self-Made Movement Group has faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for declaring Bola Tinubu winner of the last presidential election having not scored the required 25 percent in Federal Capital Territory (FCT)

There have been mixed reactions by lawyers on the issue since when Tinubu was declared the winner of the February 25 presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Tinubu secured 8,794,726 votes to defeat Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 6,984,520 votes, while Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party scored 6,101,533 votes.

While Tinubu and Atiku won 12 states each, Obi won 11 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), while Kwankwaso defeated the three only in Kano State.

This was contained in a statement signed on Monday by the group converner, Saheed Keshinro, popularly known as Africa's_Keshinro of Lagos. Noting that INEC is restricting people from viewing Abuja results.

Of the three leading presidential candidates, only Obi won the FCT, which is believed to be a very strong constitutional requirement to become the President of Nigeria.

Obi scored 281,987 votes or 62 per cent of the total votes cast in the FCT, while Tinubu scored 90,902 or 20 per cent.

On his part, Atiku scored 73,743 votes, or 16 per cent of the total votes.

While the 1999 Constitution states that a presidential candidate must secure the highest number of votes cast at the election, it further added that the candidate must also secure not less than 25 percent of the votes cast in at least two-thirds of all the states of the federation and the FCT.

Though Tinubu scored the highest number of votes cast at the election and also polled at least 25 per cent of the valid votes in at least 24 states in line with the Constitution, the former Lagos State governor did not secure 25 per cent in the FCT.

It called on the Judiciary to respect the people's will according to the law and save Nigeria from collapsing.

The statement partly reads; "Our attention has been drawn to the act by INEC restricting people from viewing Abuja results and now they are shrinking Peter Obi scores in FCT on their IREV for Tinubu to make 25% by force in FCT for their defence at PEPT as its being alleged. Result has been declared by INEC, & it has been presented in court already.

"It will interest you to note that the just concluded 2023 General Election Is an "Eye Opener" and INEC needs to trend with caution by not subverting the will of the people as attested to by the European Union Observers report and other international observers report. 

"The Abuja election as released by INEC are as follows: Labour: 281,717, APC: 90,902, PDP: 74,194

"Any attempt to manipulate the figure as initially declared and announced by INEC to cover up the lapses as argued in court will amount to tempering of evidence, pleaded at the ongoing Presidential Election Petition Tribunal. 

“'O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. [Quran, 4:135]'

"And as matter of fact, God of the oppressed made a resounding statement through voices of concerned Nigerians, transcending tribal and religious affiliations to support the lead admirable character among the four popular presidential candidates, which was Mr. Peter Gregory Obidient and the evidence thereof is the overwhelming majority vote cast for him as the Labour Party Presidential candidate.

"The jettison of Section 134 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as ammended) and sections 65 of the 2022 Electoral Act (as ammended), respectively, to allege that Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, the INEC National Chairman, has committed treason and must be held accountable for the rape on Democracy, when he unilaterally ignored these references provisions of the attendant laws to the declaration of the winners of the just concluded 2023 presidential election, amidst objections by the electorates to wit widely affirmed voters disenfranchisement, intimidation, and harrassment as well as mutilation of results at collation centres, as reported by Party agents and international observers, this making us a laughing stock in the global community today.

"With the admissibility of the evidences provided by the Labour Party, amidst objections by both the APC and INEC lawyers, it shows Peter Obi won the election and was purposely rigged to favour Tinubu and Nigeria can't progress when justice is not served In favor of the people, because the power of the people is greater than the people in power, only if the Judiciary still remains the last hope of the common man.

"Nigerians now know the names of each of the judges of the tribunal, and discuss each proceeding in the market, workplace, school, etc... Though you may not see prominent Nigerians discussing it but trust me they are also following every detail of the tribunal on social media.

"The Judiciary should respect the people's will according to the law and save Nigeria from collapsing. God says, "He has told you, human one, what is good and what the Lord requires from you: to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God.” Isiah 30:18.

"We wish to state categorically that, all Nigerians are interested in the outcome of the ongoing election petition tribunal, any attempt to subvert the will of the people can lead to people defending and standing upright against the injustice. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. 

"Thank you all, while we await a transparent process free from external influence," the statement added.