Ogidi seeks suspension of FCT election tribunal judgement

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, candidate in the last FCT council election, Dr. Paul Moses Ogidi, has called for the immediate suspension of the proposed judgment in Petition No. FCT/ACET/EP/01/2026, citing what he described as unresolved jurisdictional issues surrounding the composition of the Area Council Election Petition Tribunal.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Ogidi said the tribunal was allegedly constituted in violation of Section 135(3) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which, according to him, requires the inclusion of a High Court judge in the tribunal’s composition.

The petitioner argued that the alleged defect raises fundamental questions about the tribunal’s competence to hear and determine the matter.

According to him, his legal team had on April 10, 2026, petitioned the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory, requesting the reconstitution of the tribunal in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

He stated that after receiving no response, a further petition was submitted to the Chief Justice of Nigeria on May 21, 2026, seeking urgent intervention on the matter.

Ogidi said the concerns raised in both petitions remain unresolved despite the tribunal’s reported plans to deliver judgment in the case.

He also disclosed that communications on the issue had been sent to several national and international institutions, including the United Nations, the European Union, the United States Embassy and the British High Commission.

“It is trite law that jurisdiction is the foundation of every judicial proceeding. A court or tribunal that lacks jurisdiction cannot confer validity upon its proceedings by the mere passage of time,” he said.

The petitioner warned that proceeding with judgment while questions over the tribunal’s composition remain unresolved could raise legal and constitutional concerns and potentially affect the validity of any decision reached.

He therefore called for the suspension of the judgment, urgent intervention by the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the reconstitution of the tribunal in compliance with the Electoral Act.

Ogidi maintained that the issue extends beyond his petition and touches on the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral justice system, urging the relevant authorities to ensure that all jurisdictional concerns are addressed before any final judgment is delivered.