Just in: President Tinubu hails verdict as tribunal dismisses Atiku’s, Obi’s petitions

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday, has assured Nigerians of his renewed and energized focus on delivering his vision of a unified, peaceful and prosperous nation, following the judgment by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja.

President Tinubu welcomes the judgment of the Tribunal with an intense sense of solemn responsibility and preparedness to serve all Nigerians, irrespective of all diverse political persuasions, faiths, and tribal identities.

Recall that the Presidential Petitions Tribunal, sitting in the Court of Appeal, Abuja, on Wednesday declared President Bola Tinubu the winner of the 2023 presidential election held on February 25.

Reading the lead judgment of the five-man panel  of the Court of Appeal Justice Haruna Tsammani held that the LP’s prayer that Peter Obi be declared winner is incompetent and hereby struck out.

READ ALSO: Tribunal dismisses Atiku’s claims on Tinubu’s qualification, electoral fraud

That the first Respondent, INEC was right to declare Tinubu Winner. I found that the petitioners have not successfully proved their allegation. They are hereby dismissed.

Different Justices in the panel who read one after the other the judgment that took 6 hours include Justices Haruna Tsammani and Abba Mohammed.

The panel held that the petitioners have failed to prove allegations of malpractices and the issue is resolved in failure of the respondent.

Striking out the issue of non-compliance as alleged by the petitioners, the panel held that the petitioners didn’t call their agents who voluntarily signed results of the elections from the states they alleged elections were manipulated. They only brought collation agents who did not witness the voting at the polling booths.

On the issue of qualification to contest election, the tribunal held that both Tinubu and the Vice-President, Kashim Shettima were qualified to contest the 2023 Election, having satisfied the conditions necessary.

The Tribunal held that Atiku did not show in his petition that he was personally affected as provided by the law to stop the candidature of the President and his Vice.

READ ALSO: Tribunal dismisses Atiku’s claims on Tinubu’s qualification, electoral fraud

The Tribunal further held that Atiku’s Petition challenging the qualification of the Vice President Kashim Shettima did not establish any fact, holding that qualification or disqualification of a candidate is determined solely by the constitution.

Reacting to the judgment, President Tinubu in a statement issued by his special adviser on media and communication, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, recognizes the diligence, undaunted thoroughness, and professionalism of the five-member bench, led by Justice Haruna Tsammani in interpreting the law.

The President affirms that his commitment to the rule of law, and the unhindered discharge of duties by the Tribunal, as witnessed in the panel’s exclusive respect for the merits of the petitions brought forward, further reflects the continuing maturation of Nigeria’s legal system, and the advancement of Africa’s largest democracy at a time when our democratic system of government is under test in other parts of the continent.

 READ ALSO: Tribunal throws out suit seeking disqualification of Tinubu

The President believes the Presidential Candidates and Political Parties that have lawfully exercised their rights by participating in the 2023 general elections and the judicial process, which followed, have affirmed Nigeria’s democratic credentials.

The President urges his valiant challengers to inspire their supporters in the trust that the spirit of patriotism will now and forever be elevated above partisan considerations, manifesting into support for our Government to improve the livelihood of all Nigerians.

Once more, President Tinubu thanks Nigerians for the mandate given to him to serve our country while promising to meet and exceed their expectations, by the grace of God Almighty, and through very diligent hard work with the team that has been put in place for that sole purpose.