Presidential Election Tribunal Dismisses Peter Obi's 25% FCT Vote Petition

In a recent development, the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal has rejected Peter Obi's petition claiming that winning 25% of the votes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) would secure his victory in the presidential election. The court's decision emphasizes that FCT citizens do not receive special privileges over other states.

Justice Haruna Tsammani, who presided over the case, announced the verdict on Wednesday. He asserted that the FCT holds no higher significance than any other state in the country.

During the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, the Labour Party candidate, received more than 25% of the votes in the FCT.

This ruling has sparked discussions among the public, especially legal experts, regarding the interpretation of Sections 134 (1) and (2) of Nigeria's 1999 Constitution (as amended). 

These sections stipulate that a presidential candidate must not only secure a majority of votes nationwide but also garner at least 25% support in two-thirds of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to be declared the duly elected President of Nigeria.