This has to be the world worst election malpractice in the history of democracy where one vote equal 19. Chief Obafemi Awolowo (a lawyer, state man, former minister and former premier, among several attributes to his name and stance) Versus Alhaji Shehu Shagari (an elementary school head teacher) who was unknown to nobody across the country. But given the political atmosphere in Nigeria, it was evident that the president (Olusegun Obasanjo) found it paramount to appease the people of the northern part of the country (where Shehu Shagari was from) by replacing the former assassinated president (Murhitala Mohammad), a northerner whose presidency was short lived by coup plotters, though his lack of proper security detail can be argued contributed immensely to the successful coup that took him out.
Awolowo won the election and this fact affirms that Nigeria as a country was a risk that was validated by the amalgamation of 1914 that merged several tribes into one without their will. These tribes have totally different personalities, cultures, beliefs but the supreme leadership was trusted with a northerner president (Tafawa Balewa) whose participation on the national stage during the fight for independence was insignificant in comparison to several leaders from the west, east and south - the likes of Awolowo, Azikwe to name a few. Not withstanding, the real issue shouldn't have been who the British left power with but how some Nigerians think the decision was not based on merit. This merit wouldn't have been questionable if all the tribes believed, trusted, respected one another and further believed to have the interests of one another. So, this popular grievance was sealed by a government overthrow led by Chukwuma Kaduna Ezeogwu, an easterner military officer.
The court had the opinion that that " Sheu Shagari won two-third of the total votes cast, having polled a total votes of 16.8 millions with 11.9 millions votes ahead of Obafemi Awolowo who polled a total votes of 4.9 millions.
Court membership
Judges sitting
Atanda Fatai Williams
Mohammed Bello
Kayode Eso, Mohammed Uwais
Andrews Otutu Obaseki
Ayo Gabriel Irikefe
Chike Idigbe
Case opinions
Decision by Kayode Eso
Dissent Kayode Eso
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