A seven-man panel of the Supreme Court led by the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Ibrahim Muhammad has dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) an its candidate in the February 23 presidential election, Mr. Atiku Abubakar challenging the election of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The PDP and its candidate filed the appeal at the Supreme Court after the presidential election tribunal had in September dismissed their original petition and affirmed Buhari’s second term re-election.
The apex court dismissed the appeal at its first hearing.
“Having gone through the briefs for over two weeks we have come to the conclusion, this appeal lacks merit. This appeal is hereby dismissed,” Muhammad said.
The court however said reasons for the dismissal would be given on a later date.
At the tribunal, the plaintiffs had argued that Buhari lied on oath about his educational qualification and that the high school the president said he attended did not exist at the dates stated by the president.
They also argued that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) manipulated the result of the election and that the result on an INEC server showed that Abubakar won the election ahead of Buhari.
Meanwhile, the national chairman of the PDP, Mr. Uche Secondus, who reacted to the ruling, expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their commitment and support for the party and democracy.
In statement by his spokesman, Mr. Ike Abonyi, the PDP chairman said Nigerian’s commitment to democracy and its tenets despite inhibiting factors “is worthy of emulation and highly commendable.
He said the Supreme Court had ruled “but the final judgement comes from God almighty.
“We thank you for your support for PDP, for your commitment to democracy. Nigerians know that you voted PDP; even APC knows that you rejected them on February 23, 2019; international community knows you voted for PDP. If Supreme Court of seven justices says otherwise, leave it to God the ultimate Judge,” Secondus said.
