Accept tribunal verdict, Akpabio counsels Atiku, Obi

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged the opposition to accept the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC), which on Wednesday affirmed the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election.

The five-member panel of justices presided over by Justice Haruna Tsammani dismissed the petitions of Atiku Abubakar (Peoples Democratic Party), Peter Obi (Labour Party) and Chichi Ojei (Allied Peoples Movement) and declared that Tinubu was duly elected.

Akpabio, in a statement released by his media office described the court verdict as an affirmation of the popular mandate of the Nigerian people for the Tinubu/Shettima ticket as delivered at the polls in February.

He noted that the court painstakingly evaluated all the issues raised by the petitioners and delivered a clear verdict on the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.

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The Senate President said it is clear to see for dispassionate observers that despite the challenges, Nigeria’s electoral process is making steady progress and deserves the appreciation and support of all Nigerians and friends of Nigeria.

Akpabio, therefore, urged Atiku, Obi and all Nigerians to support the Tinubu government in its drive to deliver the Renewed Hope Agenda of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“I applaud the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal for upholding the victory of our President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and our Vice President, His Excellency, Kashim Shettima, at the 2023 presidential polls.

“I also congratulate our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), on its vindication by this well-thought-out landmark judgement.

“This judgement has expressly affirmed the popular mandate of the Nigerian people for our party the APC and its Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates, freely given at the February 2023 polls.

“As the Court has painstakingly addressed all the issues raised by the petitioners, I urge all concerned to accept the judgement and join hands with the Tinubu government in its bold efforts to secure the wellbeing of our people,” Akpabio said.