The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Thursday confirmed the election victory of President Bola Tinubu, dismissing a legal challenge by his two main opponents, who claimed that his win was tainted by irregularities.
The verdict will give Tinubu, 71, a strong mandate to lead Africa’s most populous nation, which is facing high inflation, low foreign reserves, a weak currency, rampant insecurity and oil theft.
The decision by seven Supreme Court justices, which is final, is consistent with previous presidential elections that have been contested in court. None of the efforts to reverse results through the judiciary has ever succeeded.
Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party and Peter Obi of the Labour Party were the runners-up in the February poll, but they rejected the outcome and demanded that Tinubu’s win be nullified.
The two opposition leaders had challenged a Sept. 6 tribunal ruling that upheld Tinubu’s victory.
“This appeal lacks merit and it is hereby dismissed,” said Supreme Court judge John Okoro.
