Nigeria: Election tribunal to rule on poll results

President Bola Tinubu was elected in a closely contested poll in February. The losing candidates have challenged the results citing irregularities.

President Tinubu defended his victory and said focused on efforts to revitalize the economyImage: Sunday Aghaeze/Nigeria State House via AP/picture alliance

Nigeria's election tribunal will rule Wednesday on the legitimacy of Bola Tinubu's presidential victory after allegations of election irregularities.

Atiku Abubakar of the People's Democratic Party and the Labour Party's Peter Obi, claim electoral law breaches, including failing to use electronic machines to upload polling station results.

In order to introduce more transparency, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) implemented biometric technology and IReV, a centralized system for real-time result uploads.

INEC admitted there were "glitches" but refuted allegations that the election was compromised.

Lawsuits demand poll results be dismissed

In a closely contested election on February 25, former Lagos governor Tinubu secured 37% of the votes, surpassing PDP's Atiku Abubakar and Labour's Peter Obi to become president.

Both the PDP and Labour in their separate lawsuits are demanding the poll results be dismissed and their respective candidates to be announced winners or for the court to call for a rerun.

While no Nigerian presidential election results have been overturned before, if Tinubu's win is confirmed, the challengers can appeal to Nigeria's Supreme Court.

Experts expect the tribunal to uphold Tinubu's win, even though the tribunal holds the authority to nullify the election and call for fresh polls.

Economy struggles

Currently in India for the G20 Summit, President Tinubu defended his victory and said he is focused on efforts to revitalize the economy.

Tinubu inherited an ailing economy from his predecessor Muhammadu Buhari. Africa's most populous country is struggling with growth as it grapples with high unemployment, the highest inflation rate in two decades, record debt, and massive oil theft.

The president's efforts to address the issues, such as removing petrol subsidies and freeing up the naira currency, are facing stiff opposition.

Source: DW