The Supreme Court of Nigeria has dismissed a case seeking to disqualify Vice-President-elect Kashim Shettima from running as a candidate for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February general election.
If the case had gone forward, it could have had far-reaching consequences for President-elect Bola Tinubu’s candidacy and eventual victory, as they ran on a joint ticket.
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) filed the suit in July last year, claiming that Mr. Shettima’s nomination as Mr. Tinubu’s running mate violated the Nigerian constitution.
They claimed that Mr. Shettima’s nomination to run for vice president and the Borno central senatorial seat at the same time violated the law.
However, a five-member Supreme Court panel ruled on Friday that the case lacked merit and that there was evidence Mr Shettima eventually withdraw his nomination for the senatorial seat.
There was palpable fear and anxiety prior to the landmark decision, but the justices also decided that the PDP lacked the authority to file the lawsuit because it is not a member of the APC.
The lead judge, Justice Adamu Jauro, noted that the PDP was interfering in the internal affairs of another party and fined it around $4,300 (£3,500).
The Supreme Court ruling has seemingly put the issue to rest and given the inauguration of President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President-elect Kashim Shettima judicial approval.
They will be sworn in on May 29, when outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari leaves office after serving two terms.
However, major opposition parties’ lawsuits challenging Mr. Tinubu’s election victory are still pending at the election petitions tribunal, where hearings will begin on May 30, a day after Mr. Tinubu is sworn in.
