The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal which upheld President Muhammadu Buhari victory.
The party in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Kola
Ologbondiyan expressed shock over the judgement, adding that there were
so many errors as the Tribunal failed to prove fair justice.
The party described the judgement as provocative, barefaced
subversion of justice and direct assault on the integrity of our
nation’s justice system.
PDP further urged Nigerians to be encouraged as the party would seek justice at Supreme Court.
The statement read: “PDP is particularly shocked that the tribunal
failed to point to justice despite the flawless evidence laid before it,
showing that President Buhari was not only unqualified to contest the
election but also did not score the majority of valid votes at the
polls.
“The PDP finds as bewildering that a court of law could validate a
clear case of perjury and declaration of false information in a sworn
affidavit, as firmly established against President Muhammadu Buhari,
even in the face of incontrovertible evidence.
“The party is also rudely shocked that the Court took over the roles
of the Respondents’ lawyers who clearly abandoned their pleadings by
refusing to call evidence in defense of the petition. The court raked up
all manner of excuses to make up for the yawning gaps occasioned by the
total absence of any evidence from the Respondents.
“Nigerians and the international community watched in utter disbelief
when the tribunal ruled that one need not provide a copy or certified
true copy of educational certificate such individual claimed to possess,
contrary to established proof of claims of certification.
“The party notes as strange that the court even went ahead to provide
rationalizations in favour of President Buhari, even when all hard
facts before it shows that he did not possess the claimed educational
certificate and that the Army was not in possession of his WAEC
certificate as claimed in the affidavit he deposed to in his
Presidential nomination form.
“The PDP also described as shocking that the court approved the
flawed declaration of President Buhari as the winner of the election
despite evidence to show the perpetration of illegalities,
manipulations, alterations and subtraction of valid votes freely given
to Atiku Abubakar by Nigerians.
“Indeed, the pervading melancholic atmosphere across our nation since
the verdict is a direct indication that the judgment has not fulfilled
the desires and expectations of Nigerians.
“The PDP however encouraged Nigerians to remain calm and not to lose
hope or surrender to despondency or self-help, as our lawyers are upbeat
in obtaining justice at the Supreme Court.
“This is more so as the tribunal itself admittedthat there are several errors in the judgment.”