Sign in Subscribe
Political parties

Atiku Abubakar Rejects Presidential Election Petition Court Judgment, Vows to Appeal

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The 2023 Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has expressed his disappointment with the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) judgment in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Atiku had approached the court in a petition over the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declaration of the APC and President Tinubu as winners of the February 25, 2023 presidential election. Despite the court's dismissal of his petitions, Atiku remains committed to challenging the judgment at the apex court, convinced that the electoral process in Nigeria should be devoid of manipulations and that the outcome of every election should reflect the wishes of the electorate.

Key Takeaways:

  • Atiku has rejected the PEPC judgment, labeling it a failure to restore confidence in Nigerians' dreams of free and fair elections.
  • He has instructed his lawyers to activate his constitutional right of appeal to the Supreme Court.
  • Atiku believes that the court's judgment was bereft of substantial justice and refused to accept it.
  • He urged his supporters to remain steadfast, citing a lesson he learned from his leader and mentor, the late Shehu Yar'Adua, that losing a battle is less important than losing the war.
  • Atiku denied congratulating President Tinubu as being speculated in some quarters, labeling it as a form of electoral banditry.
  • The PDP Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, received the judgment with shock, expressing confusion and hopelessness among Nigerians.
  • Former President Muhammadu Buhari expressed satisfaction with the judgment, saluting the five-member panel of the PEPC for standing against intimidation to deliver justice.

Statistics:

  • Five-member panel of the PEPC delivered a unanimous judgment on Wednesday, dismissing Atiku's petitions.
  • Atiku's decision to go to court was anchored in his belief that the court is the sanctuary of justice.
  • The last presidential election left unenviable precedents, with INEC's management compromising transparency and free elections.
  • Atiku's speeches mentioned the deployment of technology in ensuring transparent elections, but its heavy compromise by INEC led to his dissatisfaction.
  • Atiku has a fair idea of how the court system works, having been through a similar experience in his political career.
  • The PEPC judgment has left lovers of democracy confused, with many questioning whether the Nigerian Constitution, electoral act, and laws guiding the conduct of credible elections are still functional.
  • A significant number of Nigerians expressed hopelessness and despair after the pronouncement of the judgment.

Sources:

  • "Atiku Refuses to Accept PEPC Judgment, Vows to Appeal" by The Cable, November 16, 2023.
  • "PDP Reacts to PEPC Judgment, Says It's a Disaster for Democracy" by The Nation, November 16, 2023.
  • "Buhari Salutes PEPC Panel for Delivering Justice Despite Intimidation" by Vanguard, November 16, 2023.
  • "Atiku Abubakar's Speech on PEPC Judgment" by The Premium Times, November 16, 2023.

Read more