Obi, Atiku Reacts To Tribunal Defeat, Speak On Next Move

The presidential candidates of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Abubakar Atiku, have both rejected the ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) that upheld the election of President Bola Tinubu.

Recall the tribunal, on Wednesday, affirmed the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 25, 2023, presidential election as the rightful winner of the election.

The tribunal held that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, did not successfully prove his petition seeking to remove Tinubu from office.

The court also struck out the petition filed by LP and Obi for lack of merit while ruling on whether the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was right to return Tinubu as duly elected by a majority of lawful votes cast.

Speaking through his team of lawyers led by Dr Livy Uzoukwu (SAN) after the court sitting on Wednesday night, Obi vowed to appeal the judgement of the tribunal.

The former Governor of Anambra warned that if care is not taken, the electoral jurisprudence would disappear in the country, stressing that the court process should be seamless.

He stressed that petitioners who are dissatisfied with the outcome of an election may resort to self-help if they continue to find it very difficult to establish their case owing to obstacles from government institutions like INEC.

Similarly, the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar while speaking through his team of lawyers led by Chris Uche (SAN) on Wednesday night, said he only got a judgement from the court and not justice according to the law.

The PDP candidate said he was expecting an outcome that would encourage the use of technology to enhance election management, transparency, and accountability so that Nigerians will believe in democracy.

The former Vice President said he was dissatisfied with the judgement of the court and has vowed to approach the Supreme Court to set aside the election of President Bola Tinubu.

He said: “Judgement has just been delivered, but we have not received justice. Luckily, the Constitution has given us the right to go on appeal.