PDP, LP rejects presidential election petition court judgment

The Peoples Democratic Party has rejected the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) judgment affirming the victory of President Bola Tinubu as Winner of the February 25, 2023 Presidential election.

The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said that the judgment was against reason, facts and evidence presented in court.

“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.”

“He calls on Nigerians to remain at 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.”

Similarly, the Labour Party (LP) has also rejected the judgement delivered by a five-man panel of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) led by Justice Haruna Tsammani on its petition filed against President Bola Tinubu.

The tribunal had struck out the petition filed against Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, declaring it as incompetent.

In its reaction, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, expressed dismay and trepidation over the dismissal of its petitions, saying justice was not served and the verdict did not reflect the law and the desire of the people.

He said, “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 prevail.

“We salute the doggedness of our team of lawyers who fearlessly exposed the wrath in our system. We can only weep for democracy in Nigeria but we refuse to give up on Nigeria.”

Mr Ifoh said details of the party’s position will be presented after consultation with their lawyers after the Certified True Copy of the judgement is made available to the party.