Nigeria’s Supreme Court validated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s election victory on Thursday, dismissing the opposition’s final appeal against his mandate five months after he came to office.
Since Nigeria’s transition from military rule in 1999, most Nigerian elections have been marred by legal disputes, but the Supreme Court has never overturned a presidential election. In the most recent election, held in February, former Lagos governor Bola Tinubu secured 37 percent of the vote, winning against Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi. This election was one of the closest contests in Nigeria’s modern history.
A seven-judge Supreme Court panel reviewed the opposition’s appeals, which included claims of fraud, violations of electoral laws, and allegations regarding Tinubu’s eligibility to run for president. In a live television broadcast, Justice John Inyang Okoro stated, “Having resolved all the issues against the appellant, it is my view that there is no merit in this appeal, and it is hereby dismissed.”
The Supreme Court also rejected the motion against Tinubu filed by the Labour Party.
President Tinubu, who took office in May, focusing on an agenda of “Renewed Hope” and introducing economic reforms, welcomed the decision and called on Nigerians to set aside their differences. He stated, “The victory of today has further energized and strengthened my commitment to continue to serve all Nigerians of all political persuasions, tribes, and faiths.”
Tinubu’s administration has initiated significant economic reforms, including ending a fuel subsidy and floating the naira currency. These reforms are aimed at bolstering Africa’s largest economy and attracting more foreign investment. However, in the short term, Nigerians have experienced a threefold increase in fuel prices and higher food costs.
An election appeals court had already rejected the two main opposition party petitions last month, which included allegations of fraud, violations by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and claims that Tinubu did not meet constitutional requirements.
Additionally, Atiku’s legal team had attempted to introduce new evidence to the Supreme Court, asserting that Tinubu submitted a forged certificate from Chicago State University as a qualification to the election commission when he applied to run for president.
Beyond economic reforms, Tinubu’s government is confronting significant security challenges, including a persistent jihadist insurgency in the northeast, as well as issues related to kidnapping and intercommunal clashes in other parts of the country.
