- Pix above(l-r): Peter Obi, PBAT and Atiku
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President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, responded to the news of his electoral victory affirmed by the Presidential Election Petition Court, from India, where he was participating in the G-20 summit, and saluted the diligence, undaunted thoroughness, and professionalism of the five-member tribunal, led by Justice Haruna Tsammani in interpreting the law.
He however, urged his co-contestants, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party as well as their supporters to join him in building Nigeria.
Tinubu said he welcomed the judgment with an intense sense of solemn responsibility and preparedness to serve all Nigerians, irrespective of all diverse political persuasions, faiths, and tribal identities.
The president, in a release issued by his Media Adviser, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, assured Nigerians of his renewed and energised focus on delivering his vision of a unified, peaceful and prosperous nation, following the judgment by the presidential tribunal in Abuja.
He recognised the diligence, undaunted thoroughness, and professionalism of the five-member bench, led by Justice Haruna Tsammani in interpreting the law.
The president stressed that his commitment to the rule of law, and the unhindered discharge of duties by the Tribunal, as witnessed in the panel’s respect for the merits of the petitions brought forward.
He said it further reflected the continuing maturation of Nigeria’s legal system, “and the advancement of Africa’s largest democracy at a time when our democratic system of government is under test in other parts of the continent.”
According to him, the presidential candidates and political parties that have lawfully exercised their rights by participating in the 2023 general election and the judicial process, which followed, had affirmed Nigeria’s democratic credentials.
Tinubu urged his valiant challengers to inspire their supporters in the trust that the spirit of patriotism would now and forever be elevated above partisan considerations, “manifesting into support for our government to improve the livelihood of all Nigerians.”
He thanked Nigerians for the mandate given to him to serve the country while promising to meet and exceed their expectations, by God’s grace, and through diligent hard work with the team that has been put in place for that purpose.
…As PDP, LP reject him & Presidential Court judgment
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, as well as the Labour Party, have rejected the judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, because it was against reason, fact and evidence.
In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP said, “As a party, we have had an initial review of the judgment as delivered by the PEPC and we unequivocally reject the said Judgment in its entirety.
“The judgment is against reason, against the facts and evidence presented in Court; against the relevant electoral laws, guidelines and regulations as well as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). Indeed, the judgment is generous in technicalities and very short in delivering substantial justice in the matter.
“The PDP, as a law-abiding political party, will with our lawyers, have a comprehensive review of the judgment and decide on the next line of action within the ambit of the law,” he said.
The party called on Nigerians to remain at alert, calm and united as it continues to lead the charge to defend democracy and ensure that the will of the people as expressed in the February 25, 2023 Presidential election was respected and restored.
Also reacting, the Labour Party said it watched with dismay and trepidation the dismissal of petitions by the five-man panel of the Presidential Election Petition Court led by Justice Haruna Tsammani and therefore rejected it.
In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the party said, “We reject the outcome of the judgment in its entirety, because justice was not served and it did not reflect the law and the desire of the people.
“Nigerians were witnesses to the electoral robbery that took place on February 25, 2023, which was globally condemned, but the Tribunal, in its wisdom, refused to accept the obvious.”
According to the party, “What is at stake is democracy and we will not relent until the people’s will prevails. We salute the doggedness of our team of lawyers who fearlessly exposed the rot in our system. We can only weep for democracy in Nigeria but we refuse to give up on Nigeria.
“Details of the party’s position will be presented after consultation with our lawyers after the Certified True Copy of the judgment has been obtained. We urge all lovers of democracy to remain focused and hopeful because a new Nigeria is possible.”/SHARE THIS
- Tags: PBAT, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, APC, PDP, LP, PEPT
