Dr. Paul Moses Ogidi, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate in the recent FCT council election, is pushing for an immediate stop to the scheduled judgment concerning Petition No. FCT/ACET/EP/01/2026. He argues that unresolved jurisdictional problems plague the case, particularly around the formation of the Area Council Election Petition Tribunal.
In a press release on Tuesday, Ogidi claimed the tribunal was set up in defiance of Section 135(3) of the 2026 Electoral Act. That provision, he says, mandates the inclusion of a High Court judge in the panel. The alleged irregularity, he contends, fundamentally undermines the tribunal’s authority to hear and decide the case.
Ogidi disclosed that his legal team first petitioned the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory on April 10, 2026, asking for a proper reconstitution of the tribunal. When no answer came, they escalated the matter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria on May 21, 2026, calling for urgent action.
Despite these efforts, the petitioner noted that both petitions remain unresolved, even as the tribunal reportedly intends to deliver its verdict soon. He also revealed that copies of the complaints have been sent to international bodies such as the United Nations, the European Union, the U.S. Embassy, and the British High Commission.
“Jurisdiction is the bedrock of any judicial process,” Ogidi stated firmly. “A court or tribunal cannot give legitimacy to its actions simply because time has passed if it lacks jurisdiction from the start.”
The ADC candidate cautioned that moving forward with a judgment while doubts linger over the tribunal’s lawful makeup could create legal and constitutional complications, potentially nullifying any ruling reached. He therefore urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria to intervene promptly, suspend the impending judgment, and ensure the tribunal is reconstituted in full compliance with the Electoral Act.
Ogidi emphasized that the issue transcends his individual petition, touching on the broader credibility of Nigeria’s electoral justice system. He called on relevant authorities to resolve all jurisdictional questions before any final decision is handed down.