Politics

Olanipekun, 49 other lawyers to defend Tinubu against Obi, Atiku

Published

4 years ago

March 7, 2023

A legal icon and one-time President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Wole Olanipekun, will lead 49 other lawyers to defend the victory of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu at the presidential election tribunal.

Olanipekun, a senior advocate of Nigeria, SAN, with other legal luminaries to ensure that Tinubu prevail over his arch rivals, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP, who have challenged his victory.

Tinubu, the standard bearer of the All Progressives Congress, APC, emerged as the winner of the presidential election held on Saturday, February 25, with 8, 794,726 votes to beat Atiku and Obi to the second and third positions with 6,984,520 and 6,101,533 scores respectively.

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, presented him with a Certificate of Return last week Wednesday.

But, Obi and Atiku criticised INEC, arguing that the elections were marred with irregularities, and vowed to take their grievances to court.

However, Tinubu’s legal representatives are waiting to be served with the petitions of the candidates of the PDP’s Atiku and the LP’s Obi.

But the first and second runners-up have sought leave of the tribunal to inspect some election materials used for the poll.

Members of the Tinubu legal team are to hold their preliminary meeting today in Lagos. They are to discuss some of the issues in the public domain which may be included in the petitions of the PDP and the LP.

There were indications that some PDP governors may join in the case before the tribunal to testify that the poll was free and fair in their states.

Investigations showed that some of the 50 SANs were said to have opted for free service to actualise Tinubu’s mandate.

It was learnt that a few of them joined the team based on the conviction that the presidential election was the “freest and fairest” in the country’s history with large-scale upsets.

Some of the senior lawyers in the vanguard of defending Tinubu’s mandate are a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Akin Olujimi, Yusuf Ali, Lateef Fagbemi, A.U. Mustapha, Ahmed Raji, Abiodun Owonikoko, Kemi Pinheiro, Niyi Akintola and H.M. Liman.

Others are: Taiwo Osipitan, Babatunde Ogala, Roland Otaru, James Onoja, Muiz Banire, Olusola Oke and a former Bauchi State Governor Mohammed Abubakar.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Buoyed by patriotism and the need to protect the sanctity of the ballot, about 50 SANs have signed up to defend the mandate of Asiwaju Tinubu. The figure may be more in the next few days.

“Some of these legal giants have either not met with Tinubu or seeking any favour from him. They believe that the February 25 poll was credible and the best in the history of Nigeria.”

The source added: “In spite of the noise in the media, both Atiku and Obi have not served Tinubu and APC a copy of any petition before the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal.

“But the defence team of Tinubu will meet on Tuesday (today) in Lagos ahead of allowing Atiku and Obi to get their acts together.”

Section 130 (1, 2and 3) of the Electoral Act 2022 says: “ “No election and return at any election under this Act shall be questioned in any manner other than by a petition complaining of an undue election or undue return presented to the competent tribunal or court in accordance with the provisions of the constitution or of this Act and in which the person elected or returned is joined as a party.

“In this part, ‘tribunal’ means-(a) in the case of the presidential election, the Court of Appeal; and (b) in the case of any other elections under this Act, the election tribunal established under the Constitution or by this Act.

“The election tribunals shall-(a) be constituted not later than 30 days before the election; and (b) when constituted, open their registries for business seven days before the election.”

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Relax, Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria’ – RTIFN Tells Cross Riverians

Published

4 days ago

November 3, 2026

The Gleamer

Cyril Ogar

The Cross River State chapter of the Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria (RTIFN) has urged Nigerians, particularly Cross Riverians, to remain confident in President Bola Tinubu’s administration, insisting that the Renewed Hope Agenda is delivering on its promise of national development.

The group also commended the Cross River State Government and residents of the state for their massive participation in the presidential campaign council rally held on November 2, 2026, at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

In a statement, the state coordinator of RTIFN, Cross River State, Engr. Anjor Obande, alongside members of the state executive council, local government and ward coordinators, praised Governor Bassey Otu and the First Lady, Apostle Dr. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, for the successful hosting of the rally.

The group described the impressive turnout as a demonstration of the people’s support for President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Governor Otu’s People’s First agenda.

Obande and members of the state executive council said the large attendance reflected the growing acceptance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State, expressing confidence in the party’s prospects in future elections.

RTIFN further commended the organisation and outcome of the rally, reaffirming its commitment to mobilising support for President Tinubu and Governor Otu.

The event was attended by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, members of the National Assembly, national and state executives of the APC, members of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), national representatives of RTIFN and various support groups.

Also present were APC members, residents from the 18 local government areas of Cross River State, visitors from other states and members of the media.

The group described the massive turnout as a strong expression of political solidarity and reiterated its determination to sustain grassroots mobilisation in support of the Renewed Hope and People’s First agendas.

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