The All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly criticized the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, for their responses to the verdict of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal. The tribunal upheld President Bola Tinubu’s election and the electoral process, which resulted in the nullification of the petitions filed by Atiku and Obi.
Atiku expressed his disappointment with the tribunal’s judgment during a press conference at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja. He stated that the judgment did not meet his expectations and that he refused to accept it. Atiku announced his decision to direct his legal team to approach the Supreme Court for redress, emphasizing his commitment to transparent elections in Nigeria.
He also criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its management of the last general elections, which, in his view, compromised the transparency of the electoral process. Atiku’s legal team was instructed to file an appeal against the tribunal’s decision.
Peter Obi, the LP presidential candidate, similarly criticized the tribunal’s judgment, describing it as not conterminous with justice. He announced his intention to appeal the decision and emphasized the importance of adhering to the rule of law and maintaining focus on the pursuit of justice.
Atiku’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, clarified that Atiku had not issued any congratulatory statement to President Tinubu, contrary to a report. Ibe asserted that Atiku’s pursuit of justice was not about personal animosity but about upholding electoral integrity and democracy in Nigeria.
The APC responded to Atiku’s statements, accusing him of being a sore loser and suggesting that he had a compromised mind. The APC argued that Atiku’s criticisms of the electoral process and technology were unwarranted and that he lacked the expertise to assess the electoral equipment. They also criticized his use of terms like “electoral banditry” and accused him of trying to influence the Supreme Court.
In response to these developments, the Presidency stated that Atiku had the right to appeal the judgment, and his decision to do so would enrich the country’s electoral jurisprudence.
Opposition parties, including Atiku and Obi’s legal teams, were working to obtain the Certified True Copies of the tribunal’s verdict to file their appeals at the Supreme Court. They acknowledged the challenges of fighting for justice in the Nigerian political climate but remained committed to their pursuit.
Overall, these statements and responses reflect the ongoing legal and political tensions surrounding the Nigerian presidential election and the efforts of various parties to uphold their positions and seek justice through the legal system.