The Supreme Court of Nigeria has dismissed a case that sought to disqualify Vice-President-elect Kashim Shettima as the candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the country’s general election.
Had the case proceeded, it could have had significant implications for the candidacy and eventual victory of President-elect Bola Tinubu, as they ran on a joint ticket.
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) filed the suit in July of the previous year, arguing that Mr. Shettima’s nomination as Mr. Tinubu’s running mate violated the Nigerian constitution.
They contended that Mr. Shettima’s simultaneous nomination to contest the positions of both vice president and the Borno central senatorial seat was contrary to the law.
However, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the case lacked merit. The court cited evidence that Mr. Shettima had eventually withdrawn his nomination for the senatorial seat, thus resolving the constitutional concern raised by the opposition party.
There had been palpable fear and anxiety before the landmark judgement but the justices also decided that the PDP lacked the power to put forward the lawsuit since it is not a member of the APC.
Justice Adamu Jauro, who delivered the lead judgment, noted that the PDP was meddling in the internal affairs of another party and ordered it to pay a fine of around $4,300 (£3,500).
The Supreme Court ruling has now put the issue to rest and seemingly given a judicial seal of approval for the inauguration of President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President-elect Kashim Shettima.
They are due to be sworn in on 29 May when outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari leaves office after completing a two terms.
However, lawsuits by major opposition parties challenging Mr Tinubu’s election victory are still ongoing at the election petitions tribunal, where hearings will begin on 30 May, a day after Mr Tinubu is sworn in.