In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court has dismissed the petition filed by Peter Obi and the Labor Party (LP), challenging the requirement of securing 25% of votes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to win a Presidential election.
The court, in its ruling, emphatically stated that FCT citizens do not possess unique privileges that set them apart from residents of other states in the country.
This ruling carries immense implications for the political landscape of the nation, clarifying that the FCT, which houses the capital city of Abuja, does not enjoy any special status when it comes to the 25% voting threshold.
The decision underscores the principle of equality among all states in Nigeria, affirming that FCT residents’ political influence is on par with their compatriots from other regions.
Peter Obi’s challenge to this requirement, which was central to his case, has now been definitively addressed by the nation’s highest court.
This ruling will undoubtedly shape the strategies and considerations of political candidates in future presidential elections, as it emphasizes the need to secure broad-based support across the entire country, rather than focusing solely on the FCT.
