Buhari atiku battle enters new phase

The presidential election in Nigeria between incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari and his main challenger, Atiku Abubakar, has indeed entered a new phase. Here's a brief update:

Recent Developments:

  1. Petition to the Election Tribunal: Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has filed a petition at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal, challenging the outcome of the February 23 election. He is seeking to nullify the election results and declare himself the winner.
  2. Buhari's Response: The All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Buhari have responded to Atiku's petition, denying all allegations of electoral fraud and irregularities. They have also asked the tribunal to dismiss the petition.
  3. Tribunal Hearing: The tribunal has commenced hearing on the petition, with both parties presenting their cases. The hearing is expected to continue for several weeks.

Key Issues:

  1. Electoral Fraud: Atiku's petition alleges widespread electoral fraud, including the use of underage voters, ballot stuffing, and the manipulation of results. He is seeking to prove that the election was marred by irregularities and that the results do not reflect the true will of the Nigerian people.
  2. INEC's Role: Atiku's team is also questioning the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the election, alleging that the commission was biased in favor of the APC.
  3. International Observers: The international community has expressed concerns about the conduct of the election, with some observers describing it as "marred by irregularities." Atiku's team is likely to rely on these reports to support their petition.

Next Steps:

  1. Tribunal Ruling: The tribunal will deliver its ruling on the petition, which could potentially annul the election results or uphold them.
  2. Appeal: If the tribunal rules in favor of Atiku, the APC and President Buhari may appeal the decision to the Court of Appeal.
  3. Inauguration: If the tribunal upholds the election results, President Buhari will be inaugurated for a second term on May 29, 2019.

The outcome of this election is crucial for Nigeria's political stability and democratic development. The country is watching with bated breath as the tribunal hears the petition and delivers its ruling.