Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar announced on Thursday his intention to conclude the legal battle challenging the process and election that brought President Bola Tinubu into office after a Supreme Court judgment. Atiku, who contested against Tinubu on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made this statement during a press briefing in Abuja.
He clarified that he would only cease his legal pursuit if the Supreme Court issued a ruling on the matter. Atiku emphasized that there is no higher court than the Supreme Court in Nigeria, and its decision would be the final word on the case. He said, “The case is still in court. I’ll only drop this fight if the court rules. If the court rules that I’m right, fine, if the court rules that Tinubu is right, fine.”
Atiku’s legal challenge stems from his election contest against Tinubu and the academic records of the President released by Chicago State University. He has been seeking transparency and resolution through the legal process.
In addition, Atiku addressed allegations of betrayal related to his political alignment with Tinubu in 2007. He asserted that he did not betray the President during that period but, in fact, defended Tinubu’s political interests. Atiku recalled his role in preventing the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from taking over Lagos State in the 2003 elections.
He explained, “I stood between Obasanjo and himself (Tinubu) and I said no, you (Obasanjo) can’t take over Lagos. Leave it, and he (Obasanjo) left it. So, who is indebted to whom? Is it me or Bola Ahmed Tinubu? I vehemently deny that I stabbed Tinubu in the back.”
Atiku’s statements reflect his commitment to pursuing legal avenues to address election-related issues and disputes while also addressing claims of betrayal and misrepresentation of his political actions in the past.