By Janet Bassey (Governance Reporter, in Abuja)
As mixed reactions continue to trail the Wednesday judgment by the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) which upheld the declaration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressive Congress (APC), the Nigerian leader gas expressed great joy at his triumph at the Tribunal court.
Tinubu who is said to be on official trip to India, however, enjoined his opponents in the controversial presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) to join hands with him to rebuild the country rather than going further to the Supreme Court to challenge his court victory.
President Tinubu in a statement dated Wednesday, September 6, 2023 by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, 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 Court in Abuja.
According to the statement, Tinubu "welcomes the judgment of the court with an intense sense of solemn responsibility and preparedness to serve all Nigerians, irrespective of all diverse political persuasions, faiths, and tribal identities.
"The President 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 Court, 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.
"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", Ajuri Ngelale stated. NNL.
