Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Thursday resolved to challenge the judgement of the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal that affirmed the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the February 25, 2023, presidential election at the Supreme Court.
He said he was not new to legal battles and that he would continue to explore the judiciary for respite.
Atiku, while addressing a world press conference at the Peoples Democratic Party headquarters in Abuja, said his resolve to challenge the tribunal judgement was borne out of his commitment to entrench a credible democratic process.
“It is my conviction that the electoral process in Nigeria should be devoid of untidy manipulations and the outcome of every election should be a perfect reflection of the wishes of the electorates.
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“I believe such is the only way through which our democracy can have a manifest expression of its true meaning. Whether I prevail in this quest or not, the record of my effort in ensuring an order of credible elections in Nigeria shall remain for the future generations to emulate,” the former vice president said.
Atiku, who came second behind Tinubu in the election, said the tribunal judgement affirming Tinubu’s victory failed to restore confidence.
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“Though the judgement of yesterday is respected, it is a judgement I refused to accept. I refused to accept the judgement because I believe it is bereft of substantial justice,” Atiku said.
He, however, maintained that the tribunal judgement will not “destroy my confidence in the judiciary”.
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“Consequently, I have asked my lawyers to activate my constitutionally guaranteed rights of appeal to the higher court, which in this instance, is the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”
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