The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Nigeria’s former Vice President and presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar have rejected the judgement delivered by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT), after the Court ruled in favour of President Bola Tinubu as the legitimate lead of the February 25 presidential election.
According to the PDP Spokesperson Debo Ologunagba the party rejects the judgement in its entirety.
“The judgement 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),” the statement reads.
“Indeed, the judgment is generous in technicalities and very short in delivering substantial justice in the matter,” Ologunagba said Wednesday night.
Former President Atiku who is the PDP’s presidential candidate spoke through his team of lawyers, led by Chief Chris Uche, SAN. The lawyer expressed disappointment over the court’s ruling of the case, adding that they got the nod from Atiku to proceed to the Supreme Court.
According to Uche, the judgement from the Presidential Election Court (PEPC) had no semblance of justice, adding that he would be approaching the Supreme Court to appeal his case and have Tinubu vacate the Seat of State for him.
“Judgement has just been delivered but we have not received justice. Luckily, the Constitution has given us the right to go on appeal.
“This is the court of first instance. We still have the right to go on appeal to the Supreme Court and you see, this is a struggle that is not just for our client, but for the Constitution of this country, for the rule of law and democracy.
“We were expecting an outcome that will improve, encourage the use of technology to enhance election management, to enhance transparency, to enhance accountability, so that Nigerians will believe in democracy.
“So that Nigerians can come out in their masses like they did, to vote. We don’t want Nigerians to be discouraged.
“There are certain things and principle of law that he knows that we need to explore and we strongly believe that when we get to the Supreme Court, it will have the opportunity to review a number of things that have been said here today.
“We have the instruction of our client to go to the Supreme Court. So, we have asked for the records. We have asked for the judgement. We are going to apply for the transmission of the records because we have a very limited time to push this.
“So, the struggle continues and as it is said, it is not over until it is over,” Atiku’s lead counsel said.
Both Atiku and Obi’s petitions challenging President Tinubu of the All Progressive Congress (APC) were consequently dismissed by the Tribunal on Wednesday, September 6, citing the absence of merit.
According to the Justices, the aggrieved candidates (Atiku, Obi) failed to tender concrete proof that they actually scored majority of lawful votes.
The five-member panel of Justices presided by Justice Haruna Tsammani affirmed Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 presidential polls, having struck out Atiku and Obi’s petitions.
Labour Party candidate Peter Obi and his party, have since issued a statement rejecting the Tribunal’s verdict with a promise to communicate their next course of action soon.