Breaking: Supreme Court throws out PDP’s suit against VP-elect, Shettima over double nomination

The Supreme Court on Friday morning dismissed the suit filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the alleged double nomination of Vice-President-elect, Kashim Shettima, describing PDP as a meddlesome Interloper and a busybody in the internal affair of the APC.

With the long-awaited judgment, the coast is now clear for the presidential inauguration on May 29, 2023.

The apex court, in its ruling, agreed with the lower courts — Federal High Court and the Appeal Court — that the PDP lacked the locus standi to institute the suit since it is not a member of the APC.

In a judgment read by Justice Adamu Jauro, the court said” PDP acted as meddlesome Interloper and a busy body as it is an internal affair of the APC.”

The justices then awarded a N2 million cost against the PDP as the suit was dismissed for lacking in merit.

Persecondnews reports that apprehension has enveloped the APC, loyalists of Bola Tinubu and some Nigerians that the judgment ruling might affect the May 29 inauguration.

The PDP, in the suit filed on July 28, 2022, had claimed that Shettima’s nomination as Tinubu’s running mate was in breach of the provisions of sections 29(1), 33, 35, and 84(1)(2) of the electoral act, 2022.

The party argued that Shettima’s nomination to contest the position of vice-president and Borno central senatorial seat — at the same time — contravened the law.

The PDP, which sought an order disqualifying the APC, Tinubu, and Shettima from contesting the presidential election, also sought an order nullifying their candidacies.

However, Inyang Ekwo, the trial judge at the court of appeal, dismissed the suit on the grounds that the PDP lacked the locus standi to institute the suit.

Not satisfied, the PDP appealed the judgment.

Delivering judgment in the appeal, a three-member panel of the court of appeal led by James Abundaga held that the PDP failed to establish that it had locus standi to institute the case.

Abundaga described the PDP as a “busybody”, who meddled into issues that were purely internal affairs of the APC.

“The appellant, having failed to disclose its locus standi, this appeal fails and it is hereby dismissed,” he said.

The judge also awarded N5 million cost against the appellant’s lawyer, Mr J. O. Olotu.