Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, has ignited a fresh wave of controversy by challenging the Supreme Court's verdict on Bola Ahmed Tinubu's election victory. Contrary to the widely held belief that the Supreme Court had affirmed Tinubu's victory, Baba-Ahmed vehemently claimed that the apex court merely upheld what he deemed an "illegality" in the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) declaration.
Datti Baba-Ahmed voiced his dissent during a recent appearance on Arise TV, stating that he and his running mate, Peter Obi, did not accept the Supreme Court's ruling as valid. Their stance further adds to the ongoing debate surrounding the 2023 election results.
Peter Obi, representing the Labour Party, had previously sought redress at the apex court, contesting INEC's declaration of Tinubu as the election's winner. However, the Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, affirming Tinubu as the duly elected president.
Datti Baba-Ahmed left no room for ambiguity, declaring, "Please quote me on this: the Appeal and Supreme Courts did not affirm Tinubu’s presidency. They merely upheld the illegality of INEC’s declaration. We accepted the judgment because it was the last step for HE Peter Obi and I to take; we rejected and did not accept it as a valid judgment.
As this challenge unfolds, it adds a new layer of complexity to the post-election narrative, raising questions about the integrity of the electoral process and the nation's democratic institutions. It remains to be seen how this bold challenge will impact the political landscape in Nigeria.
