Atiku Abubakar Appeals Tribunal Verdict, Vows To Continue Battle For Electoral Integrity
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Former Vice President and the standard-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has responded to the recent judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, asserting that while his party may have lost a battle, the broader war is far from over.
Atiku’s remarks came during a press briefing held at the PDP Headquarters in Abuja in reaction to the tribunal’s decision, which upheld the victory of President Bola Tinubu.
During his address, Atiku stated, “I respect the judgment rendered yesterday, but I refuse to accept it because it lacks justice. In the words of my mentor, Shehu Yar Adua, ‘losing a battle is less important than losing a war.’ We shall win the war of restoring confidence and hope in our electoral system. The war is not over.”
He continued, “My decision to seek legal recourse is grounded in the belief that the court is the bastion of justice. Throughout my political career, I have witnessed the judiciary’s courage and unwavering commitment to justice. I am no stranger to legal battles, and I have always found the judiciary to be a reliable pillar in the pursuit of justice.”
Atiku went on to express his concerns about the conduct of the last presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), suggesting that it had tarnished the progress made in ensuring transparent elections through technological advancements. He lamented that the tribunal’s judgment had failed to restore confidence in the vision of free and fair elections without human interference.
He added, “My ultimate goal in pursuing this legal course is to strengthen democracy through the principles of fair hearing. Regrettably, the judgment of the tribunal falls short of this expectation. Thus, I must clarify that while I respect the court’s decision, I refuse to accept it due to its lack of substantial justice. Nonetheless, this disappointment will not deter my faith in the judiciary.”
Consequently, Atiku announced his intent to exercise his constitutionally guaranteed right to appeal to the higher court, which, in this instance, is the Supreme Court. He emphasized the importance of transparent elections in Nigeria and underscored his commitment to this cause.
In closing, Atiku urged his supporters to remain steadfast, drawing inspiration from his late mentor, Shehu Yar’Adua’s wisdom that “losing a battle is less important than losing the war.” He assured them that, with faith in God, they would prevail in their efforts to restore confidence in the country’s electoral system.
