25 percent in FCT not needed to be declared President, says Professor Sagay

The eminent professor of law, Itse Sagay (SAN), on Tuesday said a presidential candidate does not necessarily need to secure 25 per cent of the votes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to be declared the winner.

He said so long as the candidate meets the threshold of 25 per cent in 25 states, he can be declared the winner even if Abuja is not inclusive.

According to him, Abuja can be considered a State in the circumstances.

Sagay believes the brewing controversy over a candidate not scoring 25 per cent in the FCT was needless.

Responding to a question on whether a candidate must score 25 per cent in the FCT to be declared the winner, the SAN said: “No.”

He added: “The constitutional provision does not mean that a candidate that does not score 25 per cent in Abuja cannot be declared the winner.

“As long as you score in one-quarter of the votes in at least 25 states, and for these purposes, FCT is treated as a state, you can be declared a winner.”