PDP Rejects Presidential Tribunal Verdict, Says Judgment Against Facts, Evidence

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT), which upheld the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the February 25 election.

In a unanimous decision on Wednesday, the five judges led by Justice Haruna Tsammani ruled that the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, failed to substantiate claims of vote rigging and irregularities.

The tribunal also ruled that there was insufficient evidence to disqualify Tinubu from contesting the election, despite a $460,000 forfeiture to the US government following a Chicago court’s findings that the money was linked to heroin trafficking.

Reacting in a statement on Wednesday night, PDP spokesperson, Debo Ologunagba said the party “unequivocally” rejects the judgment in “its entirety”.

Ologunagba highlighted that the PDP believed the judgment contradicted reason, facts, evidence presented in court, relevant Electoral Laws, Guidelines, Regulations, and the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended).

He further criticized the judgment for its technicalities and perceived lack of substantial justice in the matter, stressing that the PDP would conduct a comprehensive review of the judgment and determine the next course of action within the bounds of the law.

While asserting their commitment to restoring the “will of the people,” the opposition party called upon its supporters to remain calm and united during this challenging period.

The statement said the “Judgement is against reason, against the facts and evidence presented in Court; against the relevant Electoral Laws, Guidelines and Regulations as well as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

“Indeed, the Judgment is generous in technicalities and short in delivering substantial justice.

” The PDP, as a law-abiding political Party, will, with our lawyers, have a comprehensive review of the Judgment and decide on the next line of action within the ambit of the law.”

“The PDP calls on Nigerians to remain alert, calm and united as our party continues to lead the charge to defend democracy and ensure that the Will of the people as expressed in the February 25, 2023, presidential election is respected and restored.”

KanyiDaily recalls that the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal also dismissed a petition filed by Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election.