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Tag: Supreme Court

  • Supreme Court verdict: Wait for your turn in 2031, Ganduje tells Obi, Atiku

    Supreme Court verdict: Wait for your turn in 2031, Ganduje tells Obi, Atiku

    Abdullahi Ganduje, chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has said Nigeria’s two major opposition, Peter Obi and Abubakar Atiku should wait for their turn in 2031.

    He also declared that the Supreme Court judgement upholding the election of Presided Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a proof that the February 25 presidential election was not manipulated as claimed by the opposition.

    In a statement on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Ganduje also asked the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and that of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, to wait till 2031 when Tinubu would have rounded off his second term.

    Ganduje, who congratulated Tinubu, said the judgement has laid to rest all claims by the opposition parties.

    Ganduje said the Supreme Court verdict would pave the way for President Tinubu to concentrate on implementing the “Renewed Hope” mandate of the APC for the benefit of Nigerians.

    The APC helmsman called on Atiku and Obi to bury their hatchets and join hands with President Tinubu to reposition the country towards sustainable growth and development.
    He said, “Nigeria belongs to all of us, it is our responsibility as patriots to pool our resources together to move the country forward. I congratulate both Atiku and Obi on their dogged fight in extending the frontiers of our democracy and law.

    “This is democracy. Tinubu’s victory is another victory for democratic rule in the country. There is still room for both Obi and Atiku to actualize their presidential aspiration after the second term tenure of President Tinubu in 2031.”

    Ganduje also called on Nigerians, irrespective of political leaning, to rally round the President to ensure that he delivers more dividend of democracy and move the country on the path of sustainable progress.

  • PDP’s Adeleke sides with Tinubu on Supreme Court judgment

    PDP’s Adeleke sides with Tinubu on Supreme Court judgment

    Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the affirmation of his election by the Supreme Court, saying the time to unite for Nigeria is now.

    The apex court had on Thursday dismissed the appeals of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and their presidential candidates, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Mr Peter Obi.

    The appellants had challenged the victory of Tinubu at the Feb. 25 poll and sought to overturn the verdict of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The Supreme Court, however, dismissed the appeal, holding that new evidence could not be introduced at the stage of appeal.

    Adeleke, despite being a party member of PDP, in a congratulatory message issued by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed on Thursday in Osogbo, Adeleke said: “our judicial system has once again proven itself in tackling disputes that arise from our elections”.

    The statement reported the governor as making the remarks in the presence of the ‘Iyaloja General’ of Nigeria, Folasade Ojo-Tinubu, in Ede.

    Ojo-Tinubu, was at Ede, the country home of the governor,  to attend the 8th Day Fidau prayer of the father of the state’s  Commissioner for Science and Technology, Alhaji Wahab Ayofe.

    Adeleke, who noted the finality of the apex court ruling on disputes on the 2023 presidential election, said the resolution of the questions that surrounded the election would bring about focus in confronting the many challenges facing Nigeria.

    He commended the main opposition candidate in the election for deepening the country’s electoral jurisprudence by testing their complaints at the court of law.

    “On behalf of the good people of Osun State, I congratulate President Tinubu on his judicial victory at the apex court.

    “It is my hope that your administration will bring progress, unity, and prosperity to our nation, and I want to restate my commitment to partner you in offering good governance for our people,” he said.

  • BREAKING: Labour Party raises alarm of plots to vilify Peter Obi

    BREAKING: Labour Party raises alarm of plots to vilify Peter Obi

    The Labour Party, following the verdict of the Supreme Court affirming the election of President Bola Tinubu, has raised an alarm of plots to vilify Mr Peter Obi, its candidate in the 2023 presidential election.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Barrister Julius Abure, National Chairman of the Labour Party raised the alarm on Thursday, adding that the government of Tinubu aims to suppress his party and its goal of a new Nigeria.

    A statement by Abure reads: “It is indeed another sad day for democracy in Nigeria. The leadership of Labour Party watched as the sacred fabric of justice and good conscience was shredded today at the Supreme Court as it delivered its verdict in the case between our party the Presidential candidate and the APC Presidential candidate.

    “We are indeed very shocked and surprised that even the apex Court will toe the line of an earlier judgement in spite of all the flaws associated with the judgement delivered by the Presidential Election Appeal Tribunal.

    “Having conclusively exercised our fundamental rights as gifted to us by the laws of the land, we have no other choice but to move on. We may be disappointed and dismayed by the outcome of the exercise, but we have chosen to trudge on and to remain optimistic of what the future holds for the nation.

    “We weep for our Institutions that cannot rise to the occasion and courageously defend democracy and the voices of our people.

    “However, there are great lessons to be learnt. What transpired in Nigeria since the February 25 presidential election is a clear testament that our institutions are not working and that we may be sliding towards dictatorship. It is very clear that the executive has hijacked both the judiciary and the legislature. This is so unfortunate for our democracy, and it is even more for the people of Nigeria.

    “All what our forbearers taught us has been destroyed within a short space of time because of the Unbridled ambition of a few. The founding fathers fought with their lives to achieve independence for the country. People lost their lives for the struggle to keep our democracy and all these years people have been struggling to achieve electoral and constitutional reforms. Regrettably, all of these efforts and struggles have been destroyed today.

    “It is also pertinent to put on record that we have it on very good authority that the government may have marked some Labour Party’s key leaders, myself especially and our Leader and Presidential candidate Mr Peter Obi in particular for vilification, in order to suppress the party, suffocate our team, and our goal of a new Nigeria. The planned persecution, intimidation, suppression and harassment of our leaders using security agencies and all other government institutions will be definitely defended.

    “We are therefore calling on all our members, and the Obidient family to be vigilant and brace up for the challenges ahead. The struggle for a New Nigeria will certainly be tortuous and hard.

    “We are also calling on the international community to rise to the occasion to defend democracy in Nigeria. Your voices were loud and clear in condemnation of the outcome of the presidential election. As we approach the next stage of our democratic journey, we call on you to stand by the millions of Nigerians who are already pushed beyond their limits into unnecessary hardship and penury.

    “Finally, we urge Nigerians not to lose hope in our Country. Though we are paying a huge price to achieve a Nigeria of our desire. We are hopeful that we will get to our destination someday because where there is a will, certainly, there will be a way. A new Nigeria is still possible”.

  • Tinubu not president of APC, but president of Nigeria – Wike

    Tinubu not president of APC, but president of Nigeria – Wike

    The Minister of FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, says President Bola Tinubu is not a president of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), but a president of Nigeria.

    Wike stated this when APC leaders from Rivers, led by the National Vice Chairman of APC, South South, Mr Victor Giadom, visited him in Abuja on Thursday.

    He, however, said that the president had the right to take the interest of his political party at heart while steering the affairs of the country.

    He said political parties were vehicles that conveyed one to a desired destination, adding that the interest of Nigerians superseded all other interests in the mind of President Tinubu.

    “Mr president, having emerged, is not a president of APC but a president of Nigeria.

    “While he is governing Nigeria, he must also take the interest of his political party, and nobody can stop it; it is natural.

    “In governance, every Nigerian must benefit from it.

    “We need to understand that the party is a vehicle that takes you to a place, and once you get to where you want to be you come out from the vehicle,” he said.

    The minister said that President Tinubu had the capacity and the political will to take action that others were afraid to take.

    Reacting to the judgment of the Supreme Court that affirmed the election of Tinubu, Wike said: “We owe it a duty to continue to support Mr President, irrespective of the political party he belongs to.

    “I stand for equity, fairness, and justice and I thank God today that the battle has ended to the glory of God.

    “We are all members of the Nigerian state and, therefore, it is important for all of us to also understand that the Nigerian state does not belong to a particular person or a particular group,” he said.

    The minister affirmed his commitment not to discriminate, saying “I am here for Nigerians; I am here for those who belong to a political party and those who do not belong to a political party”.

    Earlier, Giadom said that the visit was to thank the minister for the monumental support he gave to the APC presidential candidate during the presidential election.

    He urged him to continue, towards the success of the Tinubu-led administration and Nigeria which was predicated on his deep concern for justice, equity, and fairness for the Nigerian state.

    He described Wike’s appointment as the first for a person from Rivers and expressed confidence in his capacity to deliver.

    Giadom added that the visit was also to thank Tinubu for appointing a Rivers’ son to steer the affairs of the “exalted office”.

    “I urge you to deploy your vast experience and track record to bear in the discharge of your duties.

    “For us, we have assured Mr president of the loyalty and support of Rivers APC members for the achievement of his renewed hope agenda.

    “Again, it is our hope that through this visit, more Rivers sons and daughters will be given more positions of responsibilities at the national level, particularly APC members who also work hard for realisation of the renewed hope agenda,” he said.

    He assured Wike of Rivers APC’s support.

  • Reactions continue to trail Tinubu’s Supreme Court victory

    Reactions continue to trail Tinubu’s Supreme Court victory

    Reactions have continued to trail the judgement of the Supreme Court affirming Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the duly elected president of Nigeria.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Supreme Court affirmed the election of Tinubu on Thursday after dismissing appeals filed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party.

    PDP expresses disappointment over Supreme Court judgement

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it is disappointed with the judgment of the Supreme Court affirming President Bola Tinubu as winner of the Feb. 25, 2023, Presidential election, as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The PDP expressed its position in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, in Abuja on Thursday, in reaction to the court judgment on the appeal petition filed by the party and its Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on the election.

    Ologunagba said that the PDP and indeed majority of Nigerians were alarmed, disappointed and gravely concerned with the reasoning of the Supreme Court.

    He said that the PDP believed the judgment was against the express provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended); the Electoral Act, 2022; and the Guideline and Regulation issued by INEC under which the election was conducted.

    “The PDP asserts that it is indeed a sad commentary for our democracy that the Supreme Court failed to uphold the provisions of the law.

    “Instead, it trashed the expectation of majority of Nigerians who looked up to it as a temple of impartiality to deliver substantial justice in the matter having regards to the laws and facts of the case.

    “Nigerians earnestly expected the Supreme Court to uphold and defend the clear provisions of the 1999 Constitution in terms of qualification and minimum requirement for a winner to be declared in a Presidential election in Nigeria.

    “This is especially with regards to the required statutory 25 per cent of votes in the FCT as well as issues of violation of electoral Rules and Guidelines, brazen manipulations and alterations of election results by the All Progressives Congress (APC),” Ologunagba said.

    He said that Nigerians were still at a loss as to how the Supreme Court condoned the “serious issues of forgery, falsehood and perjury on the altar of technicalities,” he said.

    Ologunagba said that the general gloom, melancholy and sense of despondency across the country upon the delivery of the judgment was an ominous sign of eerie situation which portend consequences because of the disappointment embedded in the judgment.

    “This judgment by the Supreme Court has evidently shaken the confidence of Nigerians in the judiciary, especially the Supreme Court as the last hope of the common man,” he stated.

    Ologunagba however declared that the PDP remained undeterred.

    He charged Nigerians not to be discouraged or allow the judgment to detract from their collective quest for the entrenchment of a credible electoral system that could guarantee a government that derive its legitimacy from the people.

    APC diaspora chairmen hail Tinubu’s Supreme Court victory

    The APC Committee of Diaspora Chairmen (CDC) has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on his victory at the Supreme Court, urging opposition candidates to team up with the President.

    The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed the appeals made by the presidential candidates of PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), challenging Tinubu’s victory in the Feb. 25 election.

    Reacting, Prince Stephen Tella, Chairman, APC Spain Chapter and General Secretary of CDC, said Tinubu’s victory was for all Nigerians, hence all stakeholders must join hands to build the nation everyone will  be proud of.

    Tella said : “Congratulations to our President, Father, Leader, and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

    “This Supreme Court validity is a victory for all Nigerians and democrats. We are experiencing a deepening of our democracy, and Nigeria will light up Africa as the largest democracy in the Sub-Sahara West Africa and Africa.

    “There is  no winner and no loser, the race for the 2027 general elections has  just begun again following the apex court’s  verdict.

    “Let us be guided that the match to 2027 has just started effectively today when all Nigerians will have another opportunity to exercise their democratic rights again.

    “Now is the time for the Ndigbos, Arewas, Oduduwas to come together and build a Nigeria of our dreams and envy to the world,” Tella said.

    The Supreme Court, in the lead verdict delivered by Justice John Okoro, affirmed the election of Tinubu as Nigeria’s president in the 2023 general election.

    Judgement: Niger Delta group march in solidarity with Tinubu

    No fewer than 500 Niger Delta youths, under the auspices of Niger Delta People’s Salvation Front, on Thursday, marched the streets of  Abuja to show support for President Bola Tinubu’s victory at the Feb. 25 presidential election.

    The Founder of the group, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, represented by his Coordinator, Ekiyor-Zua Boma-Daniels, in an interview said they were in Abuja “to show solidarity to the mandate they voted for.”

    “We have been on ground since the inception of the electoral tribunal; at every sitting, we have been on ground and today, we are still here.

    “We are here to show solidarity to the mandate that we voted for in the past general elections.

    “We noticed that while at the electoral tribunal that some other persons that were sympathetic to other candidates had come to the tribunal premises to disrupt proceedings and harass judges and VIPs.

    “So that prompted us to come to show solidarity and to let other people understand that civil disobedience doesn’t mean violence.

    “You can be a law abiding citizens, you can show solidarity to whoever you are interested in or preferred candidates but don’t go beyond the provisions of the law.

    “So that is why we are here. We have been here for four months violent-free, well-behaved and today seems to be the grand finale because the Supreme Court has said that they will give final judgment in the case,” he said.

    Dokubo said whichever way the pendulum of the judgment swings would be welcomed.

    “Be that as it may, if it favours us or against us, we don’t have any problem with that because we cannot teach the judiciary what to do.

    “Everybody should be law abiding citizen. They (judges) are mandated by the constitution of Nigeria to give a verdict and whichever way the verdict goes, it is in the hand of God,” he said.

    He, however, expressed hope that Tinubu’s victory would be affirmed by the apex court.

    “We are very hopeful. We came all the way from Niger Delta to this place.

    “We are 500 of us in this place and we know that massively we campaigned, massively we we mobilised, massively we voted for that mandate that was declared by INEC.

    “And we know that court gives judgment based on the evidence before them and we are 100 per cent sure that the evidence of the process of the law that convinced INEC to announce that results will be reflected in the tribunal and the justices and uphold that same mandate and victory,” he said.

    Members of the group, who dressed in black and red attire, sang different solidarity songs in Tinubu’s support.

    The group, with various placards with inscriptions like: “President Tinubu loves the Niger Delta,” “Stop Living in Illusion, President Tinubu is the Choice of the Majority,” “The Office of the Citizen is Supreme,”

    “The Citizens have Spoken,” “On Tinubu’s Mandate We the Citizens Stand,” among others, danced around the interception of Shehu Shagari Way and Independence Avenue by the office of the Head of Service, Federal Secretariat.

    The Supreme Court had fixed today for judgment in the appeals filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and his Labour Party (LP)’s counterpart, Mr Peter Obi.

    The duo and their parties had lodged appeals challenging the Sept. 6 ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) that upheld Tinubu’s electoral victory.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Tinubu the winner of the Feb. 25 presidential poll after he defeated Atiku, Obi and 16 others.

    Bello congratulates Tinubu on Supreme Court victory

    Gov. Yahaya Bello has congratulated President Bola Tinubu over his victory at the Supreme Court on Thursday.

    Bello said this in a statement in Lokoja by his media aide, Mr Onogwu Mohammed on Thursday.

    “The Supreme Court’s verdict is a resounding reaffirmation of the people’s choice, which signifies the enduring strength of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the unwavering refuge the judiciary provides to ordinary citizens.

    “The Supreme Court’s judgment, which upholds the popular will, vividly expressed during the elections conducted on Feb. 25 reinforcing the fundamental value of credible and transparent electoral processes in our great nation.

    “While I congratulate the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, I’m optimistic that the party will also warmly invite all candidates from other political parties who participated in the election to collaborate with the President for the collective good of the nation.

    “I hereby declare my unwavering confidence that, under President Bola Tinubu’s visionary leadership, Nigeria will continue to flourish and thrive in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration, “he said.

    The Supreme Court panel led by Justice John Inyang-Okoro unanimously upheld the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal that Tinubu was duly elected in the Feb. 25 poll.

    It also dismissed appeals by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Peter Obi of the LP.

  • Asari Dokubo’s group reacts to Supreme Court judgement

    Asari Dokubo’s group reacts to Supreme Court judgement

    A group, led by the ex-militant, Asari Dokubo, on Thursday, advised People’s Democratic Party (PDP)’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and his Labour Party (LP)’s counterpart, Mr Peter Obi, to imbibe the spirit of good sportsmanship after the Supreme Court’s judgment.

    Mr Ekiyor-Zua Boma-Daniels, the Coordinator of the group, under the auspices of the Niger Delta People’s Salvation Front, gave the advice in an interview shortly after the judgment in Abuja.

    “I will advise them (Atiku and Obi) to learn the heart of a good sportsmanship. If you play a game; politics is a game of numbers, if you play a game and you lose, you go home and learn how to play a better way.

    “If you win, you win in victory. So the president has asked everybody to come together in his inaugural speech to move Nigeria forward. Nigeria is our country and the only country we have is Nigeria.

    “So whatever happens, let us just come together and make sure we support the president to move Nigeria to a greater height.

    “This is the most populous country in Africa. Let us support the president to win because if we support him, and he becomes victorious in his tenure, it is for everybody’s benefit, not only for supporters of Tinubu,” he said.

    Members of the group, who dressed in black and red attire, sang different solidarity songs in Tinubu’s support.

    The group, with various placards with inscriptions like: “President Tinubu loves the Niger Delta,” “Stop Living in Illusion, President Tinubu is the Choice of the Majority,” “The Office of the Citizen is Supreme,”

    “The Citizens have Spoken,” “On Tinubu’s Mandate We the Citizens Stand,” among others, danced around the interception of Shehu Shagari Way and Independence Avenue by the office of the Head of Service, Federal Secretariat.

    The Supreme Court affirmed the Sept. 6 decision of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) on Atiku and Obi’s appeals.

    The duo and their parties had lodged appeals challenging the ruling of the PEPC that upheld Tinubu’s electoral victory.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Tinubu the winner of the Feb. 25 presidential poll after he defeated Atiku, Obi and 16 others.

  • Supreme Court upholds election verdict, rejects prejudice claims

    Supreme Court upholds election verdict, rejects prejudice claims

    The Supreme Court has ruled that the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) did not exhibit bias while delivering its September 6th judgment in favour of President Bola Tinubu.

    This decision came in response to claims by one of the appellants, Atiku Abubakar, that the PEPC had used disparaging words that indicated bias.

    Justice Inyang Okoro, who chaired the Supreme Court panel, stated, “I have read the judgment of the court below, and I’ve seen the context in which those words were used, and it is my view that they were not meant to disparage the appellant or their counsel.

    “As judges, we are trained to be temperate in our use of words and we shall continue to do so. Litigants are advised to trust the court whenever their matters are before it.”

    Justice Okoro further cautioned appellants and their counsels against engaging in media trials and judgments when a case is pending before the court.

    Atiku had alleged that during the PEPC’s judgment, the judges used expressions that implied bias, such as “ludicrous,” “clever by half,” “dishonorable practice,” “smuggle,” and “fallacious.” He argued that these words suggested prejudice and bias on the part of the PEPC.

    “It is the position of the appellants that the choice of words and expressions by the lower court shows the lower court’s contempt and disdain for the appellants,” he said.

    In their appeal, Atiku and PDP lead counsel, Chris Uche, contended that the PEPC’s judgment was not only perverse but also marred by a grave miscarriage of justice against Atiku.

    They asserted that the PEPC erred in law by not annulling the presidential election, even though evidence showed INEC’s breach of electoral laws.

    However, the Supreme Court, in dismissing the appeal filed by Atiku, PDP, and the Labor Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, upheld the PEPC’s judgment and declared Tinubu as the duly elected President of Nigeria.

    In response to the verdict, President Tinubu stated that the affirmation of his victory in the presidential election was justice for all Nigerians, putting an end to shenanigans and trials in the media and public space.

    He commended the court’s commitment to the rule of law and justice for all citizens, regardless of their backgrounds.

  • Ganduje lauds Supreme Court judgement affirming Tinubu’s election

    Ganduje lauds Supreme Court judgement affirming Tinubu’s election

    Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All progressives Congress (APC) has applauded the Supreme Court judgment affirming the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the Feb. 23 presidential election.

    Ganduje said this in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Edwin Olofu on Thursday in Abuja.

    He said the judgment had laid to rest all claims by the opposition parties that the outcome of the presidential poll was manipulated in favour of Tinubu.

    He said that the Supreme Court verdict would pave the way for Tinubu to concentrate on implementing the Renewed Hope mandate of the APC for the benefit of Nigerians.

    He called on the presidential candidates of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and that of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi to bury their hatchets.

    The APC national chairman specifically asked Atiku and Obi to join hands with Tinubu to reposition the country for sustainable growth and development.

    “Nigeria belongs to all of us, it is our responsibility as patriots to pool our resources together to move the country forward,” he said.

    He congratulated both Atiku and Obi for their dogged fight in extending the frontiers of our democracy and law.

    “This is democracy; Tinubu’s victory is another victory for democratic rule in the country.

    “There is still room for both Obi and Atiku to actualise their presidential aspiration after the second tenure of Tinubu in 2031,” Ganduje said.

    He called on Nigerians, irrespective of political leanings to rally round the president to ensure that he delivered more dividends of democracy and move the country on the path of sustainable progress.

  • How Supreme Court passed judgement on 7 contentious issues

    How Supreme Court passed judgement on 7 contentious issues

    The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed the appeal by former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, seeking to nullify the February 25 presidential election of President Bola Tinubu.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Supreme Court also trashed the appeal filed by Mr Peter Obi, candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential, contesting the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC).

    The Supreme Court delivered judgement, read by Justice Inyang Okoro, on seven (7) contentious issues in passing the final verdict on the appeals filed by Atiku and Obi against the ruling of the PEPC.

    In the notice of appeal, Atiku had urged the apex court to dismiss and set aside the  September 6, judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Court, which affirmed the victory President Tinubu.

    A seven-man panel of Justices led by Okoro, in determining the first issue for determination, held that failure to transmit election results electronically did not affect the outcome of the election and could not warrant the nullification of presidential election.

    The apex court also stated that Atiku did not produce alternative results of the presidential election that showed he won majority number of votes cast to rebuff the one declared by INEC.

    The court resolved all the 7 issues distilled for determination in favour of Tinubu, stating that the appeal lacked merit.

    The apex court thrashed all the grounds of appeal of Atiku and PDP on qualification, non-compliance with the Electoral Act, the 25% votes in FCT, and electoral malpractices.

    “On the whole, having resolved all the issues against the appellant, it is my view that there is no merit in the appeal and it is hereby dismissed.

    “The judgment of the court below delivered on September 6th, 2023 affirming the election of the second respondent as the duly elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is hereby affirmed,” Justice Okoro said in dismissing Atiku’s appeal.

    The apex court after delivering judgement of Atiku’s appeal went on to consider Obi’s appeal for about five minutes.

    “In this appeal, we had during conference noticed that issues numbers one, two, three, five, six and seven in this appeal have been dealt with in Atiku’s appeal. It is the decision of this court that these issues shall abide with the outcome of the issues as resolved in Atiku’s appeal mutatis mutandis,” Justice Okoro said.

    In dealing with the Labour Party’s presidential candidate on the issue of double nomination of Vice-President Kashim Shettima, the court held that the issue had been dealt with in its ruling on May 26.

    The Supreme Court ruled that the appellant should not have brought the matter before the apex court in the first place.

    “As for issue number four, which has to do with double nomination, which was not in Atiku’s appeal, it is the view of this court that this issue having been dealt with by this court, this court cannot allow this matter to be re-litigated in this very court.

    “There must be an end to litigation. For us to sit down now and talk about when this man resigned or did not resigned, we are not going to do it again. This matter ought not to have come here.

    “If you read the judgement of the lower court, they mentioned it that Supreme Court has settled this matter. That should have been the end.

    “You now bring this issue of double nomination for us to sit on it and write another judgement, this is not how it should be. This appeal lacks merit and is hereby dismissed,” Justice Okoro ruled.

  • Watch Tinubu reacts to Supreme Court judgement [VIDEO]

    Watch Tinubu reacts to Supreme Court judgement [VIDEO]

    President Bola Tinubu has reacted to the judgement of the Supreme Court affirming him as the duly elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Supreme Court on Thursday trashed the appeals filed against the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) by Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and their respective parties.

    Reacting, President Tinubu stated that today’s verdict of the Supreme Court has laid to rest the agitating discourse over who truly won the 2023 presidential election and met the constitutional requirements as laid out by law.

    Tinubu said he was prepared to welcome contributions from all Nigerians to foster and strengthen the collective progress of the country.

    A statement on the official X handle of the President reads: “I welcome the verdict of the Justice John I. Okoro-led Panel of the Supreme Court on the Presidential Election petitions filed by the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party, challenging the ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

    “The court has done justice to all issues put up for consideration in the petitions on the merits of the law, without fear or favour.

    “There is no doubt, with the profound judgment of today, that our electoral jurisprudence and constitutional democracy are further consolidated and embedded more indelibly in our national identity because of the diligence and undaunted professionalism of the Honourable Justices who presided over the matter.

    “While the verdict of today has laid to rest the agitating discourse over who truly won the 2023 Presidential election and met the constitutional requirements as laid out by law, I want to reiterate that my faith in our nation’s judiciary has never been shaken, not even for a moment, because I know that our hallowed courts of law will not fail to administer justice to all Nigerians in all matters and at all times. Despite the fusillade of pressure and attempts at intimidation by some political actors, the judiciary demonstrated its unequivocal commitment to upholding the rule of law for the upliftment and defense of humanity.

    “It was affirmed once more today, that my party, the governing All Progressives’ Congress, had freely and fairly won the popular mandate of Nigerians, which has since given rise to my leadership of this great nation at a tumultuous period of unprecedented reforms in our history as a nation.

    “With deep gratitude to God Almighty, I solemnly and humbly accept today’s judicial victory with an intense sense of responsibility and a burning desire to meet the great challenges confronting our people.

    “The victory of today has further energised and strengthened my commitment to continue to serve all Nigerians of all political persuasions, tribes, and faiths, with honour and total respect for the diverse opinions and uniting values of our citizens.

    “Our Renewed Hope agenda for a greater and prosperous Nigeria has further gained momentum and I will continue to work from morning to night, every single day, to build a country that meets our collective yearnings and aspirations.

    “We are all members of one household, and this moment demands that we continue to work and build our country together. The strength of our diversity and the great citizenship that binds us must now compel us forward in directing the energy of our people towards building a virile, stronger, united, and more prosperous country.

    “In the days and months ahead, I trust that the spirit of patriotism will be elevated into supporting our administration to improve the living conditions of Nigerians. I am prepared to welcome the contributions of all Nigerians to foster and strengthen our collective progress.

    “I send my immense gratitude to all Nigerians for the mandate to serve our country. I promise again to meet and exceed your expectations in service delivery and good governance, working with my team and trusting in the grace of God.

    “May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.