The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal has dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate in the 2019 Presidential election challenging the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in its entirety.
Justice Mohammed Garba, who led the five-man panel, in a unanimous judgment, dismissed the petition in its entirety and the parties are to bear their respective cost.
“This petition is accordingly and hereby dismissed in its entirety.”
However, five judges agreed with the lead judgment.
In his reaction, President Muhammadu Buhari says the ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal on the February 23, 2019 poll, is victory for Nigerians who trooped out to overwhelmingly elect him for a second term in office.
He also urged his opponent and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join hands with him to move the country forward.
“Good conscience fears no evil report. I was unperturbed all along, because I knew Nigerians freely gave us the mandate. We are now vindicated,” the President declared in a statement by his spokesman, Femi Adesina.
He dedicated the victory to God, and to Nigerians, while also commending the judiciary for “dispensing justice without fear or favour.”
“President Buhari extends a hand of fellowship to those who had felt aggrieved at the outcome of the election, and went to court, noting that it was within their democratic rights.
He noted, however, that with the pronouncement of the judiciary, “it is time for the country to move forward as one cohesive body, putting behind us all bickering and potential distractions over an election in which Nigerians spoke clearly and resoundingly”, the statement concluded.
