I Thank Atiku For Going To Court To Challenge My Presidential Election Victory – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to the Supreme court’s explanation on the ruling on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar’s presidential election petition.

KanyiDaily had earlier reported that the Supreme Court explained the reasons why it threw out the appeals filed by Atiku and PDP challenging the victory of President Buhari in the 2019 presidential elections.

Reacting in a statement by his media aide, Garba Shehu on Friday, November 15, 2019, Buhari appreciated Atiku and his party for going to court to challenge his election victory rather than resorting to ‘other ways.

Buhari noted that allegations must be substantiated if they are to hold, and this required producing credible witnesses that verify key claims “as the Supreme Court has stated, the case failed this test.”

The president, however, said that with the judgement, Nigeria needs a robust and rigorous opposition as the nation needs to move on. The statement reads:

“The questioning of this fact seems to fly in the face of all evidence. However, now it is time for the PDP to take up the service mandated by this election.

“The legislative agenda of the ninth assembly is ambitious in both size and scope. It is critical the opposition is there to scrutinise bills and policies, rather than preoccupy themselves with unsustainable court cases.

“We appreciate the PDP and their candidate for taking these claims to courts rather than expressing them in other ways, but now Nigeria needs a robust and rigorous opposition. The nation needs to move on.

While making reference to the Supreme Court judgement, Buhari stressed that the onus of proof must necessarily fall on those that challenge votes. He said:

“Allegations must be substantiated if they are to hold, and this requires producing credible witnesses that verify key claims. As the Supreme Court has stated, the case failed this test.

“On the issue of qualifications, President Buhari has a long history of service to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The questioning of this fact seems to fly in the face of all evidence.

“However, now it is time for the PDP to take up the service mandated by this election. The legislative agenda of the ninth assembly is ambitious in both size and scope. It is critical the opposition is there to scrutinise bills and policies, rather than preoccupy themselves with unsustainable court cases.”