2023 Presidency: Former NBA President, 49 Others To Defend Tinubu Against Obi

Former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Wole Olanipekun is set to lead a team of 49 lawyers to defend Bola Tinubu at the presidential election tribunal.

Tinubu's legal team is poised to face off against those from Labour Party's Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as they both contest the 2023 presidential election results in court.

As announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Tinubu polled 8, 794,726 votes, defeating Atiku and Obi, who garnered 6,984,520 and 6,101,533 scores respectively. 

Obi thereafter made it known that he would seek redress in court while Atiku on Monday led a protest to INEC headquarters as part of his battle tactics.

Tinubu's legal representatives are waiting to be served with petitions from Atiku and Obi's camp.

Wole Olanipekun will lead Tinubu's legal team

Meanwhile, INEC has urged Presidential Election Petition Court to vary the order granted to Obi and Atiku giving them permission to inspect materials used during the presidential election.

Per reports, Tinubu's legal team will hold a preliminary meeting in Lagos today where issues in the public domain which may be included in the petitions of the PDP and the LP will be addressed.

According to Vanguard, investigations have shown that the 50 SANs have opted for free service to help actualise Tinubu’s mandate.

Some of them include a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Akin Olujimi,  Yusuf Ali, Lateef Fagbemi, A.U. Mustapha, Ahmed Raji, Abiodun Owonikoko, Kemi Pinheiro, Niyi Akintola and H.M. Liman.

Others are Taiwo Osipitan, Babatunde Ogala, Roland Otaru, James Onoja, Muiz Banire, Olusola Oke and a former Bauchi State Governor Mohammed Abubakar.

An anonymous source who shared an insight disclosed: “Buoyed by patriotism and the need to protect the sanctity of the ballot, about 50 SANs have signed up to defend the mandate of Asiwaju Tinubu. The figure may be more in the next few days.

“Some of these legal giants have either not met with Tinubu or seeking any favour from him.

“They believe that the February 25  poll was credible and the best in the history of Nigeria.

“In spite of the noise in the media, both Atiku and Obi have not served Tinubu and APC a copy of any petition before the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal.

“But the defence team of Tinubu will meet on Tuesday (today) in Lagos ahead of allowing Atiku and Obi to get their acts together.”