*Judgment disappointing, concerning, Apex Court failed Nigerians – PDP
*CAN appeals for unity for development
*My victory energiser of commitment to serving all Nigerians – Tinubu
By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON & AMOS TAUNA, Kaduna
Following the verdict of the Supreme Court yesterday, affirming the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar and that of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, have been urged not to run away but join hands with the president to move the country forward.
The group on the platform of Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiatives (CGGCI) at a unity rally to celebrate the President’s victory at the Supreme Court, called on all Nigerians to join them in the Renewed Hope Agenda and trust the government to lead Nigeria into a promised land.
The group in company of thousands of supporters of the ruling APC, matched in celebration around the Eagle Square to the Supreme Court, armed with various banners and placards thanking the judiciary for the verdict.
Speaking with newsmen during the rally, National Coordinator of the group, Comrade Okpokwu Ogenyi, said, “the judiciary has done an exceptional job by delivering the most sound judgement ever in the history of election petition in Nigeria, by strengthening critical issues of legal dichotomy, democracy has indeed won.”
According to Ogenyi, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as a former Vice President and Mr. Peter Obi as a former governor, should not hesitate to give appropriate advice devoid of politics and self aggradisement.
“They should continue to reign on their supporters to embrace peace and tranquility.
“This victory is dedicated to God the Father and to the less privileged people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who voted and vehemently defended their votes believing in the capacity of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the man anointed by God to take Nigeria to the promise land.
“We are here today to celebrate the victory of democracy, social justice, equity and fairness. To us, the judiciary has done an exceptional job by delivering the most sound judgement ever in the history of election petition in Nigeria, by strengthening critical issues of legal dichotomy, democracy has indeed won.
“To the National Chairman of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), His Excellency, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, you have done well. Within your few months in the office, the APC is winning in all angles, your resilience in repositioning the party has added value to our democracy and has thus contributed in no small measure, the dividends of democracy to Nigerians.
“We wish to reiterate and call on all those who participated in the last Presidential election are welcome to join the new Nigeria of our dream, an egalitarian Nation where peace and justice shall reign.
“We specifically single out the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, not to abandon Nigeria. It is our opinion that they should stay back and contribute meaningfully to the project Nigeria. We believe that as citizens of Nigeria one must not become a president or vice president before he or she can make meaningful contribution to the development of our Nation.
“For now, the struggle for political power has ended for the duo but that does not mean they do not have opportunity in future. Therefore, before the said future will come there is need to cooperate with the incumbent and ensure that we all succeed together as a Nation.
“It is a fact that when rain falls it will not fall only on the land of APC members but both PDP and LP members will benefit. The road and other infrastructure to be buit by this administration will be travelled on by all. We are brothers and sisters. The achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not be enjoyed by only APC members but both PDP and LP members will partake. In fact, all Nigerians will rejoice at the end that Tinubu happen to Nigeria.”
While congratulating President Tinubu and all his supporters, the group urged Nigerians to see the victory as the will of God, they tasked Nigerians to embrace the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“We call on all Nigerians to join us in the Renewed Hope Agenda and trust this government to lead us into a promised land.
“Once again, we congratulates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his vice Kashim Shettima, the National Chairman of the APC, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the Chief Justice of Nigeria Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola and all the judges and lawyers who participated in one way or the other in making Nigeria great again.” The group said.
*Judgment disappointing, concerning, Apex Court failed Nigerians – PDP
Meanwhile, main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), expressed its dismay over the judgment of the Supreme Court in the petition filed by the PDP and Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar against the declaration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Bola Ahmed Tinubu as winners of the February 25, 2023 Presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement immediately after the Supreme Court judgment, said, “The PDP and indeed majority of Nigerians are alarmed, disappointed and gravely concerned with the reasoning of the Supreme Court which the PDP believes is against the express provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, the Guideline and Regulation issued by INEC under which the election was conducted.
“The PDP asserts that it is indeed a sad commentary for our democracy that the Supreme Court failed to uphold the provisions of the law. Instead, it trashed the expectation of majority of Nigerians who looked up to it as a Temple of Impartiality to deliver substantial justice in the matter having regards to the laws and facts of the case.”
The party noted that Nigerians earnestly expected the Supreme Court to uphold and defend the clear provisions of the 1999 Constitution in terms of qualification and minimum requirement for a winner to be declared in a Presidential election in Nigeria especially with regards to the required statutory 25% of votes in the FCT as well as issues of violation of electoral Rules and Guidelines, brazen manipulations and alterations of election results by the APC.
“Nigerians are still at a loss as to how the Supreme Court condoned the serious issues of forgery, falsehood and perjury on the altar of technicalities,” the party stated.
It believed that the general gloom, melancholy and sense of despondency across the country upon the delivery of the judgment is an ominous sign of eerie situation which portend grave consequences because of the disappointment embedded in the judgment.
The party believed that the judgment by the Supreme Court has evidently shaken the confidence of Nigerians in the judiciary, especially the Supreme Court as the last hope of the common man.
According to the statement, “The PDP remains undeterred and charges Nigerians not to be discouraged or allow the judgment to detract from their collective quest for the entrenchment of a credible electoral system that can guarantee a government that truly derive its legitimacy from the people.”
*CAN appeals for unity for development
In a reaction, the Kaduna State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev John Joseph Hayab, has appealed to Nigerians to unite and build a stronger country with the new administration.
In a statement he personally issued yesterday, he said, “Now that our highest court has ruled according to our laws, any unhealthy debate and character assassination amongst political parties and supporters of political office seekers should stop and give room for healing, restoration and unity for development.
“Nigerians should always appreciate and respect the judiciary in the interest of peace and harmonious coexistence of the country.”
He noted that no Nigerian should allow himself or herself to be used to divide the country based on political differences, but unite and support the person the supreme Court has confirmed for development to thrive in the country.
He appealed, “Citizens should unite in love as they support the new government and hold them accountable for good governance.”
*My victory energiser of commitment to serving all Nigerians – Tinubu
President and Commander-in-Chief, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his remarks after the Supreme Court affirmed his victory, assured that it will energise him to serve Nigerians better.
He expressed in a statement he personally signed, sighted by our correspondent yesterday.
“The victory of today has further energised and strengthened my commitment to continue to serve all Nigerians of all political persuasions, tribes, and faiths, with honour and total respect for the diverse opinions and uniting values of our citizens.
“Our Renewed Hope agenda for a greater and prosperous Nigeria has further gained momentum and I will continue to work from morning to night, every single day, to build a country that meets our collective yearnings and aspirations,” he said.
According to him, “We are all members of one household, and this moment demands that we continue to work and build our country together. The strength of our diversity and the great citizenship that binds us must now compel us forward in directing the energy of our people towards building a virile, stronger, united, and more prosperous country.”
He assured that in the days and months ahead, he trusts that the spirit of patriotism will be elevated into supporting his administration to improve the living conditions of Nigerians.
” I am prepared to welcome the contributions of all Nigerians to foster and strengthen our collective progress.
“I send my immense gratitude to all Nigerians for the mandate to serve our country. I promise again to meet and exceed your expectations in service delivery and good governance, working with my team and trusting in the grace of God,” he said.
Tinubu welcomed the verdict of the Justice John I. Okoro-led Panel of the Supreme Court on the Presidential Election petitions filed by the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party, challenging the ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.
“The court has done justice to all issues put up for consideration in the petitions on the merits of the law, without fear or favour.
“There is no doubt, with the profound judgment of today, that our electoral jurisprudence and constitutional democracy are further consolidated and embedded more indelibly in our national identity because of the diligence and undaunted professionalism of the Honourable Justices who presided over the matter.
“While the verdict of today has laid to rest the agitating discourse over who truly won the 2023 Presidential election and met the constitutional requirements as laid out by law, I want to reiterate that my faith in our nation’s judiciary has never been shaken, not even for a moment, because I know that our hallowed courts of law will not fail to administer justice to all Nigerians in all matters and at all times. Despite the fusillade of pressure and attempts at intimidation by some political actors, the judiciary demonstrated its unequivocal commitment to upholding the rule of law for the upliftment and defense of humanity.
“It was affirmed once more today, that my party, the governing All Progressives’ Congress, had freely and fairly won the popular mandate of Nigerians, which has since given rise to my leadership of this great nation at a tumultuous period of unprecedented reforms in our history as a nation.
“With deep gratitude to God Almighty, I solemnly and humbly accept today’s judicial victory with an intense sense of responsibility and a burning desire to meet the great challenges confronting our people,” he said.
*Gombe Governor hails verdict
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON has hailed the verdict of the Supreme Court of Nigeria which affirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the valid winner of the presidential election held on February 25, 2023.
In a statement signed by the Director-General (Press Affairs) Government House Gombe, Ismaila Uba Misilli, made available yesterday, he described the ruling by the seven-judge panel, which dismissed oppositions’ appeals on grounds of fraud, electoral law violations, and the President’s eligibility, as a monumental moment in the nation’s history.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya, who is also the Chairman of Northern Governors’ Forum, said the Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling is not just a legal victory, but a source of great national relief and a proof of the strength of Nigeria’s democracy, the resilience of its institutions and, most importantly, the trust that the electorate have placed in President Tinubu’s leadership.
He emphasized that, “The victory of President Tinubu at the Supreme Court is a triumph for democracy and truth. It is a victory that brings relief to our nation and opens a new chapter of renewed hope for all Nigerians.”
Governor Inuwa Yahaya called on all Nigerians, regardless of political affiliation, to unite behind the President and Vice President Kashim Shettima as they work tirelessly to achieve the shared aspirations of the nation.
“This historic Supreme Court judgment is not just a legal conclusion; it symbolizes a momentous period in the history of our democracy, reinforcing the belief in its strength and the commitment to a brighter future. It is a moment for healing and collaboration, as we stand on the threshold of a brighter future anchored on the renewed agenda of Mr. President. Let us, as a nation, move forward together, heal and build a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria”.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya, on behalf of the Government and people of Gombe State, extended his warmest congratulations to the President, assuring him of support as he leads the nation towards prosperity and progress.
