The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC argued today at the presidential election court sitting in Abuja, the capital of the country, that a contender must receive at least 25% of the votes cast in the Federal Capital Territory in order to be declared the winner.
While cross-examining a PDP witness at the tribunal on Monday afternoon, INEC announced this through its attorney. Do you realize Atiku didn’t receive 25% in the FCT? INEC lawyers had questioned the witness during cross-examination.
Yes, the witness said. Do you know that he cannot be declared president since he received less than 25% of the vote in the FCT, INEC attorneys said? But Tinubu didn’t get 25% either, and you people declared him president, the eyewitness retorted.
Section 134(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is clear and unambiguous, direct and simple. It states that a candidate must secure 1/4th (25%) of votes cast in 2/3rd of the entire 36 States of Nigeria “And” 1/4th (25%) of votes cast in FCT. Both the Candidates of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar and Bola Tinubu of the APC did not meet this constitutional requirement.