The President characterized the appeal as containing abusive elements and requested its dismissal.
: President Bola Tinubu and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar
President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the Supreme Court to reject the appeal put forth by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging his victory in the 2023 presidential election. The President labeled the appeal as having an abusive nature and is seeking its dismissal. He reiterated that Atiku, the PDP presidential candidate, and his party failed to substantiate their claims and arguments at the Tribunal.
Tinubu maintained that the tribunal’s decision was accurate in reaching its verdict and validating his election. He urged the highest court to uphold the lower court’s decision while completely dismissing the appeal, stating it lacks merit and good faith.
Atiku and the PDP had previously lodged a petition challenging the results of the presidential election held on February 25, 2023. Among various issues raised, the petitioners alleged irregularities and significant violations of the Electoral Act during the election. They also contended that Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima, were unqualified to run and did not secure the election through the majority of lawful votes.
Nonetheless, the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, in its September 6 judgment, determined that Atiku had failed to substantiate the claims made in his petition. Subsequently, the PDP candidate lodged an appeal before the Supreme Court on September 18, 2023, raising 35 grounds of appeal, asserting that the tribunal’s findings contained serious errors and misrepresentations leading to a miscarriage of justice. The appellants are now urging the Supreme Court to nullify the entire findings and conclusions of the tribunal.
