Former governor of Edo State, Senator Oserheimen Osunbor has said there is no section in Nigeria’s Constitution that requires a presidential candidate to score 25 percent of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Recall that many Nigerians had interpreted the relevant section of the constitution, which has portrayed different meanings that a presidential candidate must win FCT.

But Osunbor, a professor of law and a two-term Senator in a statement on Friday which he personally signed declared that there is no controversy as “the Constitution does not require a win in any particular place, the FCT inclusive.

His words:

“There is no section in our constitution that requires a presidential candidate to score “25% of the FCT”.Some people are simply reading into the Constitution what is not there.

“What the constitution states clearly in section 133 is that to be declared winner the candidate must score at least 25% in “two – thirds of the 36 States of the Federation and the capital Territory” .

“It did not say 25% in the FCT which is how the legal draftsman would have rendered it if that was the intention,” the former governor said.
He argued that “In fact, the Constitution does not require a win in any particular place, the FCT inclusive.

“Ask any secondary school student who knows English comprehension the question, “Where does section 133 of the Constitution require a candidate to score 25%?

“The only correct answer would be in two-third of the States of the Federation and the FCT.

“I have read and listened to some lawyers dwell on the rule of interpretation of statutes and the use of word “and”.

“The first rule of interpretation is that where the language of the statute is clear (as in this case), you do not need to belabor the issue of interpretation. 25% of two-thirds of the States and the FCT is clear enough. You do not need to go on a voyage of discovery to find what is not missing,” he said.

He stressed further that “the language of the section is simple and straightforward.”

“It is a known fact that during National Sports Festivals the medals table shows the 36 States and the FCT. When INEC chairman invites Resident Electoral Commissioners for a meet the REC from the States and the FCT attend. The same thing happens when the inspector General of Police meets with Commissioners of Police from the States and the FCT.

“Simply put, the 36 States and the FCT go together. It is disingenuous to argue otherwise,” Osunbor submitted.

Neverslumber:
More people will still bring different interpretation.

ganisucks:
All the election riggers have united in support of Baba blue, the father of election rigging.

This guy's interpretation is really funny.

Make APC dey play. Let them not go and start preparing for rerun, like their internal memos have suggested. Let them continue petting Baba blue.
When Tribunal sacks them, them go dey alright.

ganisucks:


https://independent.ng/presidential-election-25-votes-in-fct-not-mandatory-senator-osunbor/

ganisucks:


https://independent.ng/presidential-election-25-votes-in-fct-not-mandatory-senator-osunbor/

ganisucks:
All the election riggers have united in support of Baba blue, the father of election rigging.

This guy's interpretation is really funny.

Make APC dey play. Let them not go and start preparing for rerun, like their internal memos have suggested. Let them continue petting Baba blue.
When Tribunal sacks them, them go dey alright.

Afamsi:
Illiterate prof kindly tell us why federal capital was mentioned in that rule since it is same as every other state of the federation.

ganisucks:
All the election riggers have united in support of Baba blue, the father of election rigging.

This guy's interpretation is really funny.

Make APC dey play. Let them not go and start preparing for rerun, like their internal memos have suggested. Let them continue petting Baba blue.
When Tribunal sacks them, them go dey alright.

APCNig:


That's a professor of Law. Your own candidate graduated with a 3rd Class in Philosophy. Can you see that when the professor talks, you and your candidate should be quiet?

APCNig:


That's a professor of Law. Your own candidate graduated with a 3rd Class in Philosophy. Can you see that when the professor talks, you and your candidate should be quiet?

Ogene001:
Who is the governor of FCT? Mention the senatorial zones in FCT

NothingDoMe:
They are already giving the verdict and inducing bias. No wonder a tribunal judge wrote: "buga lo lo won"

A lot of people don't know the consequences of subverting the will of the people and forcing druggie down the throats of majority.

Na here we dey.

Hollygrail:
[color=#006600][/colo

Below are reasons why Abuja is like every other States of the federation.

1. Abuja has one senatorial slot - we
have 3 senators per state times 36 States that is 108 plus the only one from Abuja makes it 109. It's the 36 States and the FCT.

2. Abuja like every other States has a commissioner of police and NYSC Corp Members are being mobilised to Abuja like every other States.

3. Abuja also have local government areas like every other States.