The Middle Belt Forum, MBF, has reacted to the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal’s dismissal
of the petition by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar,
candidate against the election of President Muhammadu Buhari.
National President of MBF, Dr Bitrus Porgu, told Vanguard that the Supreme Court has the final say on the matter.
He said: “We believe the judiciary is the last hope of the common
man. Ordinarily, we felt the President, Muhammadu Buhari didn’t win; but
the judgement now is in his favour.
“We just wait and see. That is the thing we have to say. Because it
is the judiciary that has the final say, it is not an individual or
others.
“I believe the presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party,
PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, will still appeal the tribunal’s judgment,
maybe go to the Supreme Court, knowing that issues like false
declaration under oath. Me, when I listened, I didn’t hear that one
addressed.
“All I hear is that he has an equivalent of requirement of
certificate. So, I believe they will still go further. Let’s wait and
see. But there is nothing one can do about it since the judgement has
been given; we just have to wait for the next line of action.
“The tribunal has given its judgment which I am not competent to
contest. But I believe if there are issues that have been raised and not
been addressed, I believe Atiku’s team of counsel would appeal. For
example, one, when the issue of certificate is been addressed, they talk
about the requirement. They didn’t address the issue of swearing under
oath.
“If Buhari said he had certificate or there was no certificate
transmitted to the Army, and one of his witnesses said that, that means
he swore falsely under oath. I didn’t hear any of the judgment which
addressed that issue.
“On the issue of perjury, I did not hear any of the judgments given
which addressed that issue. They addressed the issue of certificate
which is line and equivalent, serving in that capacity up to the
position in Army.
“That is the law, but the issue of perjury I did not hear. Let’s
wait, I believe Atiku’s counsel will appeal Buhari’s victory and we will
hear the final verdict when we get the bus stop, the Supreme Court.”