The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT)’s judgement affirming President Bola Tinubu’s victory in the February 25 election has continued to elicit reactions from Nigerians home and abroad.
On Wednesday, a five-man panel of justices led by Justice Haruna Tsammani said the petitions filed by Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) challenging Tinubu’s victory were “all devoid of merit” and dismissed them.
The second and third placed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) have both rejected the tribunal’s verdict, saying justice was not served.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, LP said, “We reject the outcome of the judgment in its entirety because justice was not served and it did not reflect the law and the desire of the people.
“Nigerians were witnesses to the electoral robbery that took place on February 25, 2023, which was globally condemned but the Tribunal in its wisdom refused to accept the obvious.
“What is at stake is democracy and we will not relent until the people will prevail.”
The party promised to appeal the judgement.
In the same vein, the PDP through its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba said the judgement was based on technicalities and deficient in delivering justice.
“As a Party, we have had an initial review of the Judgment as delivered by the PEPC and we unequivocally reject the said Judgement in its entirety.
“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 very short in delivering substantial justice in the matter.
“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.”
Many Nigerians also took to social media to fault the judgement.
An X user, @capolutit said, “What happened today (Wednesday) is simply coronation of Tinubu as a king. Today marks the beginning of monarchy and death of a republic.”
A lawyer, Malcolm Omirhobo said, “Tribunal rules Shettima’s double nomination not intentional, cannot invalidate Tinubu’s election.
“The PEPT condescended so low descending into the arena of conflict and proffering defence for a party. This is very unHoly and unGodly.”
Another X user, @TheSerahIbrahim wrote, “What Justice Tsammani did today (Wednesday) at the PEPT is worse than any military coup!!!”
@Hailfinger1 declared, “Yesterday’s #PEPT ruling did not only destroy Nigerians confidence in our electoral processes, but also damaged all the reforms done by the @OfficialPDPNig administration to ensure credible elections by reducing corruption and thuggery in our polling units.”
@Shehusky wrote, “The PEPT judges were busy defending Tinubu instead of giving judgment. They are acting like Tinubu’s lawyers.”