By Nathaniel Zacchaeus, Abuja
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, his Deputy, Barau Jibrin; Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele; Senators Ahmad Lawan, Solomon Adeola, and Sani Musa, have hailed the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT).
The PEPT, in a unanimous judgment on Wednesday affirmed the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in the 2023 presidential election.
The senators gave the commendation in separate statements made available to journalists yesterday in Abuja
Akpabio describes the court verdict as an affirmation of the popular mandate of the Nigerian people for the Tinubu/Shettima ticket of the APC as delivered at the polls in February.
The Senate President congratulated President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima on the resounding affirmation of their popular mandate by the well-thought-out judgement of the Court.
Akpabio noted that the court painstakingly evaluated all the issues raised by the petitioners and delivered a clear verdict on the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
He asserted that it was clear to dispassionate observers that despite the challenges, Nigeria’s electoral process was making steady progress and deserves the appreciation and support of all Nigerians and friends of Nigeria.
Akpabio, therefore, urged Nigerians to continue to support the Tinubu government in its drive to deliver the Renewed Hope Agenda of the ruling APC.
He said, “I applaud the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal for upholding the victory of our President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and our Vice President, His Excellency, Kashim Shettima, at the 2023 presidential polls.
“I also congratulate our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), on its vindication by this well-thought-out landmark judgement.
“This judgement has expressly affirmed the popular mandate of the Nigerian people for our party the APC and its Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates, freely given at the February 2023 polls.
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“As the Court has painstakingly addressed all the issues raised by the petitioners, I urge all concerned to accept the judgement and join hands with the Tinubu government in its bold efforts to secure the wellbeing of our people,” Akpabio said.
Barau also commended the judgment of the PEPT, saying that it reaffirmed the choice of Nigerians on Tinubu.
He urged all the parties to accept the outcome of the tribunal.
He said Nigerians irrespective of party differences need to team up with the present administration to address the challenges facing the country.
Bamidele, on his part, hailed the Judiciary for upholding the rule of law over emotions by affirming Tinubu as the winner of the February 25, 2023, Presidential Election.
He then appealed to the petitioners to accept the outcome of the tribunal and join hands with President Tinubu to deliver the “Renewed Hope Agenda” to Nigerians.”
He said, “I commend the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) for upholding the rule of law over emotions.
“The verdict of the Justices has once again reaffirmed that Nigerians overwhelmingly voted for President Bola Tinubu during February 25, Presidential Election.”
Adeola, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, said the victory of President Tinubu signalled a renewed hope for the consolidation of Nigeria’s democracy.
He said it had shown that the wishes of the people in exercising their constitutional rights of voting are not undermined in the judiciary by subterfuges of some power mongers for selfish personal ambitions.
“I am elated our judiciary has once again restored the hope of patriotic democrats in the sanctity of the ballot box in determining who rules the people,”
Lawan, the immediate past senate president, explained that Tinubu and Shettima’s victory had restored the confidence of Nigerians in the nation’s electoral processes and the Judiciary.
He commended the PEPC for its impartial and unbiased posture in examining petitions brought before it.
Sani, who chairs the Senate Committee on Finance, commended the panel for its resolute and firm posture in ensuring that its judgement was guided by the facts available before the court as against unsubstantiated claims.
He said, “The PEPC judgment has sent a clear message to politicians that the judiciary understands its limit and refuses to be an arbiter on matters within the jurisdiction of political parties.
“In addition, the decision by candidates of some political parties to contest the outcome of the 2023 Presidential election, provided the opportunity to test the provisions of the Electoral Act passed by the Ninth Assembly, in a way that further deepens our nation’s democratic processes.
“Efforts must, accordingly, be made by the 10th Assembly to consolidate on the gains of the Electoral Act by ensuring further amendments to the law, in a bid to strengthen the Independent National Electoral Commission and our electoral processes,” he added.
