A prominent political commentator, Ezekiel Nya Etok, has said, petition filed by Labour Party contender Peter Gregory Obi, challenging the election of President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu before the Election Tribunal contains several crucial legal concerns.
He said this during an interview with Africa Independent Television’s “Jigsaw,” Etok, who recently contested for governor in Akwa Ibom State, shed light on a legal issue that he believes Nigerians should be mindful of concerning the former Anambra governor’s case.
Mr. Etok emphasized that Obi’s petition contains several crucial legal concerns that Nigerians should be open-minded about. One such issue is the allegation of dual nomination made by Obi against the vice-president-elect of the APC, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, at the Tribunal. According to Etok, this accusation is so significant that citizens must heed the Electoral Commission’s statements.
Drawing on Section 35 of the Electoral Act, Etok clarified the definition of dual nomination and its implications. He pointed out that the nomination of any person who knowingly allows themselves to be nominated by two political parties or for two seats is void, and nothing else. This statement carries weight because it means that the votes cast by seven out of the nine political parties will also be nullified if they fail to meet this requirement.
Etok urged Nigerians to pay close attention to these legal matters since they are clearly outlined in the law and cannot be ignored.
