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The leading opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), expressed its concern and disappointment regarding the verdict, while Tinubu welcomed the court’s decision. In a statement, Tinubu emphasized the need for unity and collaboration in the face of the nation’s challenges, saying,
“We are all members of one household, and this moment demands that we continue to work and build our country together.”Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999 marked the end of nearly three decades of continuous military rule, but allegations of election manipulation and fraud have persisted through its electoral cycles. The Supreme Court ruling, by a panel of seven judges and considered final, follows a familiar pattern seen in past presidential elections that faced legal challenges. Notably, no attempt to overturn election results through the courts has succeeded thus far.
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“This judgment by the Supreme Court has evidently shaken the confidence of Nigerians in the judiciary, especially the Supreme Court as the last hope of the common man,”the PDP said. In the February election, Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Peter Obi of the Labour Party secured the second and third positions, respectively. They contested the election results, calling for the annulment of Bola Tinubu’s victory. These opposition leaders had previously appealed a September 6 tribunal decision that upheld Tinubu’s win.
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In their appeal, they contended that the electoral commission had failed to electronically transmit polling station results to an online portal, thereby undermining the results’ authenticity. Additionally, they argued that Tinubu had received less than 25% of the vote in the federal capital, Abuja, which, according to legal standards, disqualified him from assuming the presidency. However, the judges rejected all of their arguments. Featured Image Source: Arise News
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