President Election Court: Atiku, Obi fight on as Tinubu, Buhari, Ganduje hail judgement

Image: Daily Post

The verdict delivered by the Presidential Election Petition Court on Wednesday will not put an end to the controversies surrounding the 2023 presidential election.

Recalling the events, a five-member panel, with Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani delivering the final verdict, dismissed three petitions filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). The Tribunal ruled in favor of the respondents: President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

While the APM has yet to disclose its next steps, both PDP and LP candidates, Abubakar Atiku and Peter Obi, respectively, have pledged to challenge the ruling in the Supreme Court. Their intentions became public immediately after the Tribunal dismissed their petitions.

In contrast, the APC, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and former President Muhammadu Buhari celebrated the verdict as an expected victory and a genuine reflection of the people's will. Tinubu and his party commended the Tribunal for upholding his election. However, within the PDP and LP camps, the decision is seen as a clear miscarriage of justice, prompting their determination to appeal the judgment at the Supreme Court.

To expedite their appeals to the apex court, Atiku's lawyer, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, requested the Tribunal to provide a copy of the judgment promptly, allowing his client to exercise his right of appeal. Uche emphasized that Atiku received a judgment at the Tribunal but did not find justice, motivating his decision to pursue an appeal. Similarly, Livy Uzoukwu, SAN, the lead counsel for Obi, confirmed that his client had instructed them to challenge the judgment in the Supreme Court. Uzoukwu questioned the Tribunal's inconsistency in allowing live coverage of the judgment after previously ruling against live telecast of proceedings.

Responding to Atiku's request, Tribunal Chairman Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani assured that clean copies of the judgment would be made available on Thursday to facilitate their appeal to the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, the Labour Party expressed its discontent with the judgment, asserting that justice was not served. Obiora Ifoh, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, conveyed their dismay, stating that the dismissal of the petitions by the five-member panel did not align with the law or the people's desires.

“We salute the doggedness of our team of lawyers who fearlessly exposed the wrath in our system. We can only weep for democracy in Nigeria but we refuse to give up on Nigeria.”

However, President Tinubu celebrated his triumph, offering reassurance to Nigerians about his renewed commitment and dedication to realizing his vision of a unified, peaceful, and prosperous nation.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu expressed his appreciation for the Tribunal's judgment with "a deep sense of solemn responsibility and a readiness to serve all Nigerians, regardless of their diverse political affiliations, beliefs, and ethnic backgrounds."

The President acknowledged the diligence, unwavering thoroughness, and professionalism exhibited by the five-member panel, under the leadership of Justice Haruna Tsammani, in their interpretation of the law.

“The President affirms that his commitment to the rule of law, and the unhindered discharge of duties by the Tribunal, as witnessed in the panel’s exclusive respect for the merits of the petitions brought forward, further reflects 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.

“The President believes the Presidential Candidates and Political Parties that have lawfully exercised their rights by participating in the 2023 general elections and the judicial process, which followed, have affirmed Nigeria’s democratic credentials.

“The President urges his valiant challengers to inspire their supporters in the trust that the spirit of patriotism will now and forever be elevated above partisan considerations, manifesting into support for our Government to improve the livelihood of all Nigerians.

“Once more, President Tinubu thanks Nigerians for the mandate given to him to serve our country while promising to meet and exceed their expectations, by the grace of God Almighty, and through very diligent hard work with the team that has been put in place for that sole purpose,” he added.

Former President, Muhammadu Buhari, while also reacting, said the Tribunal has “written history”.

He spoke in a statement signed by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, claiming that the ruling was a win for the people and democracy.

“If anybody has won today it is democracy and the people. With the verdict of the Supreme Court, the election period is over and it is time to put the heat and dust behind us,” Buhari said.

Similarly, the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has expressed his appreciation for the presidential election petition tribunal's validation of Tinubu's victory.

In a statement personally penned by Ganduje, he characterized the judgment as thorough, addressing all the issues raised by the petitioners. He called on the PDP and the LP to collaborate with the current administration in tackling the challenges facing the nation.

The APC National Chairman portrayed the verdict as an accurate reflection of the presidential election, assuring that the President Tinubu-led administration would steadfastly fulfill his electoral promises to revitalize the country and achieve the desired growth and progress.

Ganduje acknowledged the determination of the PDP and LP presidential candidates, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, to challenge President Tinubu's victory in the tribunal, emphasizing their confidence in the nation's judicial system.

The APC leader appealed to the opposition parties to accept the tribunal's verdict with goodwill, as it aligns with the principles of democracy and the rule of law.

He noted: “I had no doubt whatsoever in my mind that the President would come out victorious, considering the massive support Nigerians gave him and our party the APC before and during the Presidential Election.

“May I also congratulate the Nigerian Judiciary for adjudicating on the issues arising from the presidential election without fear or favour by doing the right thing. With this judgement, a precedent has been set for electoral matters in the country.

“The judgement attests to the fact that the rule of law would always reign supreme and our hard-earned democracy would further continue to blossom beyond limits.

“For the opposition, I urge you to accept the verdict of the tribunal. There would always be another round of elections whereby you can test your popularity and acceptability from the electorates. Once more, I congratulate President Tinubu, our teeming supporters who stood by the party through thick and thin.”

Meanwhile, a prominent figure within Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, has appealed to both Atiku and Obi to cease any further legal action regarding the 2023 elections.

Isiguzoro, who holds a factional position as the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze, conveyed to DAILY POST that the time has come to foster unity and collaborate for the advancement and solidarity of the nation.

Recognizing the substantial challenges that confront the Tinubu administration, the Ohanaeze official acknowledged that "both Atiku and Obi have displayed remarkable courage and a commitment to the nation's welfare."

“However, only one person can be president at a time, and this time, it is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“We commend His Excellencies Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi for keeping faith with the system, but having gotten this far, we believe it is now time to end further litigation and work with Tinubu for the development of the country.

“There is no doubt that they all mean well for the country; this is why history will judge them fairly. This is a time to bring all ideas on board and help the President to make Nigeria a prosperous nation.

“They should accept the verdict in good faith and not appeal the Tribunal judgement. Nigerians will consider them in future elections if they do so.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo calls on Nigerians, especially Ndigbo, to remain peaceful. There should be a deeper understanding that the challenges before us as a nation are enormous and they should no longer be willing tools in the hands of desperate politicians, who are angling to destroy the country.”

Isiguzoro, however, advised Tinubu to ensure that every part of the country and interest are carried along by his administration.

“President Tinubu should indeed be magnanimous in victory and should personally visit Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar. This would go a long way in dousing the heightened tension and calming down the nerves of their supporters.

“This will no doubt quicken and lead to the full realisation of his Renewed Hope Agenda,” Isiguzoro stated.

Source: dailypost.ng

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#Buhari
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#Presidential Election Court
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