A petition against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Bola Ahmed Tinubu was dismissed on Wednesday by Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Abuja as a result of their Muslim-Muslim candidature for the 2023 election.
A lawsuit was brought by Mr Osigwe Ahmed Momoh, a solicitor based in Abuja, against the defendants, but the judge dismissed it because Momoh lacked the necessary legal standing to continue with the case.
Justice Mohammed determined that the lawyer lacked standing to challenge the candidates since he is not an APC member and was not involved in the choice of Tinubu and Kashim Shetima.
Because it is unconstitutional and in violation of the values upheld by Articles 14, 15, and 224 of the 1999 Constitution for a Muslim to compete for office alongside another Muslim, the attorney had pleaded with the court to prevent APC and Tinubu from seeking the presidency.
More precisely, the self-described champion of the rule of law and social justice stated that the aims of national cohesion, integration, and togetherness are at odds with Muslim-Muslim candidates.
He formally asked that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not announce the APC's presidential candidate or name before the 2023 election.
However, Justice Mohammed disagreed with the plaintiff on the legal authority for filing the lawsuit and decided to dismiss the case as a whole.
Justice Mohammed agreed with APC and Tinubu's preliminary objection but rejected their request for a cost reduction.