The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has voiced its disappointment in response to the recent Supreme Court judgment, which upheld the victory of All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, in the presidential election as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the Labour Party’s Peter Obi, had lodged petitions contesting President Tinubu’s victory. However, in September, a five-man panel of the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal, led by Justice Haruna Tsammani, ruled that the petitions lacked merit and confirmed President Tinubu’s win.
Dissatisfied with the Tribunal’s verdict, the LP Presidential Candidate and the PDP’s Atiku Abubakar filed 86 grounds of appeal at the Supreme Court in an attempt to nullify the judgment. Nevertheless, on Thursday, the apex court dismissed their petitions, citing a lack of merit.
In a statement issued on Thursday, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, expressed the party’s deep concern and disappointment with the Supreme Court’s reasoning.
PDP stated, “It is indeed a sad commentary for our democracy that the Supreme Court failed to uphold the provisions of the law. Instead, it trashed the expectation of the majority of Nigerians who looked up to it as a Temple of Impartiality to deliver substantial justice in the matter regarding the case’s laws and facts.”
The party further highlighted that Nigerians had expected the Supreme Court to uphold and defend the clear provisions of the 1999 Constitution, particularly with regard to the required statutory 25 percent of votes in the FCT. They also anticipated the court to address issues of alleged violations of electoral rules and guidelines, manipulations, and alterations of election results by the APC.
Ologunagba expressed bewilderment over the Supreme Court’s decision to overlook serious allegations of forgery, falsehood, and perjury in favor of technicalities. The judgment has left a sense of gloom and despondency across the nation, according to Ologunagba.
The PDP’s national publicity secretary contended that the Supreme Court’s judgment has shaken public confidence in the judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court, which is traditionally seen as the last hope of the common man.
He concluded by stating that the PDP remains undeterred, encouraging Nigerians not to be discouraged by the judgment. Instead, he urged them to continue their collective pursuit of a credible electoral system that ensures a government truly derived from the people’s will.