–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –By Albert OGRAKA:
The usual jubilation that follows victories at the courts was lacking in most parts of the country, following the judgement of Nigeria’s Apex court on the 2019 Presidential election.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Wednesday, October 30, 2019, had dismissed the appeals filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, challenging the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari at the February 23 poll.
The seven-man panel of the apex court led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Mohammed said the panel agreed that there is no merit in the appeal after reviewing the case for two weeks.
The Appeal was thereby dismissed while reasons for the dismissal of the appeals would be given in a later date.
The CJN led the seven-man panel which included Justices Bode Rhodes-Vivour, Kayode Ariwoola, John Okoro, Amiru Sanusi, Ejembi Eko and Uwani Abba-Ajji.
Justice Muhammad and other six members of the panel filed into the courtroom at about 9.09 a.m. on Wednesday set for the hearing.
The National Chairmen of both the PDP and the All Progressives Congress – Uche Secondus and Adams Oshiomhole, respectively, are also seated in the courtroom with a handful of their party supporters.
Atiku and his party were challenging the September 11 judgment of the Justice Mohammed Garba-led Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal which affirmed President Buhari’s victory at the polls.
Reacting to the Supreme Court ruling on Wednesday in a statement made available to Blank NEWS Online, the National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus said that the nation’s apex court has 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.”
He also commended the press, the fourth estate of the realm for their commitment to democracy and good governance in our land but urged them not to relent in their roles of holding politicians accountable to the people.
