*Don’t go on appeal, Kogi Gov begs
By Chesa Chesa
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has rejected the judgement of the presidential election of February 25, 2023, given by the presidential election petition court (PEPC) describing it as “not conterminous with justice.”
Obi, who spoke Thursday in Onitsha acknowledged the PEPC’s adherence to statutory time frames, expressed respect for the Court’s views and rulings but openly disagreed with the judgment’s rationale and final conclusions.
He announced his intention, in his capacity as a presidential candidate and on behalf of the Labour Party, to immediately challenge the judgment through the appellate process, as permitted by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Highlighting the fact that the PEPC is not the ultimate authority in this matter, Obi emphasized that the responsibility now rests with the Supreme Court, which he expressed confidence in.
He urged Nigerians to maintain their focus, steadfastness, and commitment to peaceful processes while emphasizing the importance of adhering to the rule of law. He made it clear that the matter has not yet reached its logical conclusion.
Obi revealed that his legal team has already received firm instructions to file an appeal against the PEPC’s decision.
He further expressed unwavering determination in his pursuit of justice, not only for himself but also for the multitude of supporters across the nation whose electoral mandate he said was unjustly thwarted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Obi underscored the pivotal role of solid national institutions and the public’s confidence in them for a thriving democracy. He pointed out that electoral litigations could be significantly reduced if INEC discharged its statutory functions transparently and fairly.
However, when such bodies falter, as he said INEC did in this case, the judiciary becomes an imperative recourse.
Obi extended his gratitude to every Nigerian who has supported their cause and the campaign for a New Nigeria built on principles of fairness, equity, justice, the rule of law, peace, prosperity, inclusiveness, sustainable growth, and development.
He specifically thanked his legal team, the Labour Party, the Obidient Family, and all those who steadfastly attended the court proceedings.
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 25 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar on his own has flayed the judgement of the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT) as not being able to restore the confidence of Nigerians in the nation’s judiciary.
Addressing a world press conference Thursday at the PDP headquarter in Abuja, Atiku vowed to challenge the judgement at the Supreme Court.
“My decision to go to court is anchored in my belief that the court is the sanctuary of justice. The journey of my political career, as you know, holds so much to the courage and fearless decisions of our judiciary.
“Indeed, I am no stranger to legal battles, and I can say that I have a fair idea of how the court system works. All through my career as a politician, I have been a fighter, and I must say that I have found the judiciary as a worthy pillar to rest on in the pursuit of justice.
“The last presidential election in our country and the way it was managed by the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, leaves behind unenviable precedents, which I believe the courts have a duty to redress.
“Our gains in ensuring transparent elections through the deployment of technology was heavily compromised by INEC in the way it managed the last presidential election, and I am afraid that the judgement of the court as rendered by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal yesterday, failed to restore confidence in our dreams of free and fair elections devoid of human manipulations”, the former Vice-President said.
He stated further that “when I instructed my lawyers to file my petition challenging the outcome of the presidential election, my ultimate goal in this pursuit is to ensure that democracy is further strengthened through the principles and processes of fair hearing.
“I take great pains to tell you that the decision of the court of first instance on this matter utterly falls far short of that expectation. I am therefore here to tell you that, though the judgment of the court yesterday is respected, it is a judgment that I refuse to accept.
“I refuse to accept the judgment because I believe that it is bereft of substantial justice. However, the disappointment in the verdict of the court can never destroy my confidence in the judiciary”.
The PDP Presidential candidate said: “Consequently, I have asked my lawyers to activate my constitutionally guaranteed rights of appeal to the higher court, which, in the instance, is the Supreme Court.
“It is my conviction that the electoral process in Nigeria should be devoid of untidy manipulations and that the outcome of every election should be a perfect reflection of the wishes of the electorate.
“I believe that 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 evaluate.”
Atiku urged all his supporters to remain steadfast, saying that “I urge them to take solace in an immortal lesson I learned from my leader and mentor, the late Shehu Yar’Adua, that losing a battle is less important than losing the war.
“We might have lost a battle yesterday, but the war is well ahead of us. And I believe that with our hopes in God, we shall win the war of restoring confidence in our electoral system.”
The PDP presidential candidate in calling for steadfastness among PDP members, described the party as the mother of all the political parties in Nigeria.
“Let’s keep hope alive. I am a foundation member of this party. I am still standing strong. PDP gave birth to all other political parties. PDP is the mother. You have no reason to lose hope. Life is full of ups and down.
“This is the oldest party since creation of Nigeria. We have a record to promote and foster the PDP . Therefore, I urge all members to remain loyal”, Atiku urged PDP members.
Earlier, the acting national chairman of the PDP, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, said: “The judgement of the PEPT which came out yesterday left lovers of democracy in and outside the country, more confused with a lot of questions whether the Nigerian Constitution, electoral act and other laws guiding the conduct of credible election in our country are still functional.
“Close observation from the faces of Nigeria across the country shows hopelessness and despair since the pronouncement of the judgment.
“Lawyers, politicians and other stakeholders from all divides were left confused as both law and facts were visibly thrown overboard.
“As a law abiding political party, we receive the judgment with shock along with other Nigerians. Members should however not lose focus or be distracted.”, Damagum stated.
He also announced the reactivation of the national campaign committee of the party in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States.
Don’t go on appeal, Kogi Gov begs
Meanwhile, Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, Thursday in Abuja, applauded the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal judgement which affirmed the election of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, and appealed to aggrieved opposition parties not to appeal it.
Fielding questions from newsmen after he emerged from the office of Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Governor Bello asked the aggrieved opposition parties to, rather, deploy the resources meant for appeal to other purposes for the benefit of their people.
His words: “As far as I’m concerned, I don’t think there is any ground for appeal. I will rather appeal to them that they should drop any appeal going to the higher court and then save the resources, save the trouble, advise their supporters, admonish them that they should accept yesterday’s judgement. No flaw.”
The governor equally appealed to the opposition to join hands to support the efforts by the President Bola Tinubu-led administration towards ameliorating the hardship being faced by the citizens.
He said: “I advise all those that feel aggrieved, we have only one country, Nigeria; they should all come together and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and ensure that we fix this country. Whatever hardship we are facing today is the effects of the past.
“Definitely we have Mr. fix it who is trying his best traveling around the world to ensure that Nigeria is fixed. So we are happy the matter is settled.”
The elated Governor further stated that: “Nothing is as successful as success. We are happy; Nigerians are happy and the truth is out there. We appreciate all that happened yesterday (Wednesday). The truth has been exposed.
“Imagine the justices sitting down for almost fourteen hours to deliver that landmark judgement yesterday. Nigerians within the country and in the diaspora are happy and I think it’s time to settle down and face governance.
On the outcome of the Kogi state tribunal decision which nullified the election of two All Progressives Congress (APC) Senators, and gave victory to the opposition PDP candidates, Governor Bello sued for calm and declared that the APC would eventually reclaim the seats.
“But I want to assure you that even judging from the pronouncements yesterday at the Appeal Court, we are going to have our 3/3 Senate in Kogi state, I can assure you,” the governor said without being categorical.
“This is democracy. and they have right of appeal. I think they will take the appropriate steps to ensure that no violence is orchestrated anywhere. We will follow the due process of the law and whatever will be the outcome at the end of the day, we abide by it,” he added.
The Kogi State Election Tribunal had declared Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the 25 February Senatorial election in the Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The three-member panel of judges, led by K. A. Orjiako, at the Kogi State Election Petition Tribunal unanimously declared her winner of the election after nullifying the victory of the All Progress Congress (APC) candidate, Abubakar Sadiku-Ohere.
The National Assembly election petition tribunal sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, also sacked the Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs Excise and Tariffs, Jibrin Isah (APC, Kogi East), on the ground that elections were cancelled in 94 polling units.
Consequently, it ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a supplementary election in the 94 polling units.
