The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has said that the presidency would meet presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in court should he decide to make good his threat to challenge his Saturday loss in court.
Mustapha made this known while interacting with journalists at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday night, when President Muhammadu Buhari hosted All Progressives Congress (APC) members to a victory celebration.
He said that Atiku was within the rights accorded him by the constitution and the Electoral Act to seek redress in court if he felt aggrieved by the result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, the SGF said that the APC-led Federal Government would extend a hand of friendship to the opposition candidate for the purpose of nation-building and reconciliation.
Mustapha, who hails from Adamawa State like Atiku, said, “We are not jittery at all because the process was open and transparent. It was a credible election and we will continue to savour in the victory but in the process too, we will extend the hand of friendship for the purpose of nation-building and reconciliation.
“Our electoral Act and the constitution have both provided a window for whoever is dissatisfied with the process of election to seek redress. That is the path and we will encourage them to go along that path.”
The SGF urged Nigerians to expect better things to come in Buhari’s second term in office.
“Looking into the future of the country, the President is very clear about what he wants to do. He will stand on the three pivot points that he pushed forward in 2015; securing the nation, diversifying the economy and also fighting corruption with all intensity.
“There will be inclusiveness all over the place. This is one government that has really invested in social infrastructure by bringing people who are below the poverty level up and out of poverty.
“There are so many things that we are looking forward to and I am very thrilled and grateful that we had this opportunity to now consolidate on the tenets and gains of our democracy,” he noted.
Read Also: (Photos): INEC Chairman Meets Resident Electoral Commissioners