According to reports, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has become the first head of state to arrive in India in anticipation of the G20 summit. While Nigeria is not a member of the G20 bloc, the Nigerian Presidency's spokesperson has claimed the country's aspiration to join. However, even before the G20 summit commences, President Tinubu faces potential challenges to his presidency, as highlighted by the Nigerian press.

The current predicament surrounding the Nigerian president revolves around the 2023 presidential elections held in February. According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Tinubu secured a total of 8,794,726 votes to emerge as the victor, followed by Atiku from the opposition PDP with 6,984,520 votes.

Subsequently, opposition parties in the country disputed the election results, contending that Tinubu was not qualified to run for the presidency. Now, all eyes are on the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT), set to deliver its verdict,which will determine the fate of the ambitious Nigerian president.

In a significant assertion, Chris Uche, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has submitted a petition to the tribunal, urging the nullification of President Tinubu's presidency. Uche's argument is based on a United States court ruling that mandated Tinubu to forfeit $460,000 due to drug and money laundering-related convictions.

As per the PDP, the INEC allegedly violated provisions of the amended Electoral Act by failing to electronically transmit the election results. One of the pivotal issues before the tribunal is Tinubu's eligibility to hold the presidency, especially given his allegedly receiving less than 25 percent of the votes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Additionally, another opposition candidate, Peter Obi of the Labour Party, contends that the votes cast for Tinubu should be invalidated due to the simultaneous nomination of his running mate, Kashim Shettima, as the APC candidate for Borno Central Senatorial District and the party's vice-presidential flagbearer, a violation of the Electoral Act's provisions.

Despite the mounting tensions in anticipation of the PEPT's significant verdict, the office of the Nigerian presidency has conveyed that President Tinubu is not displaying anxiety or concerns about the situation.

“He’s not worried simply because he knows he won the election,” Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, was quoted as saying by Daily Post of Nigeria.

“He (Tinubu) will continue to ensure that no matter what the outcome of the judgement is, he does his part and ensure that our institutions continue to be respected, not just by him, but all actors,” he added.

Image source- Reuters