‘Court needs to address INEC’s high level of election malpractice,’ Atiku explains why he rejects tribunal’s judgement

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has rejected the Wednesday judgement in the Presidential Election Tribunal court in Abuja, saying he would approach the higher court for redress.

Atiku who also ran for presidency under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) explained that the reason for his decision to approach the court was to be ensure that the Supreme Court addresses the high level of election malpractice papertrated by the electoral Commission, INEC.

“The last presidential election in our country and the way it was managed by the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, leaves behind unenviable precedents, which I believe the courts have a duty to redress.

“Our gains in ensuring transparent elections through the deployment of technology was heavily compromised by INEC in the way it managed the last presidential election.

Atiku said this on Thursday during a live broadcast address at the PDP Wadata House secretariat in Abuja

He said this in reaction to tribunal judgement that ruled that Tinubu was legitimately elected President of Nigeria.

Bola Tinubu was unanimously declared the legitimately elected President of Nigeria by the five members of the Presidential victory Petition Court in Abuja on Wednesday, putting an end to the legal uncertainty that has surrounded his victory for more than six months.

The PDP had released a statement on Wednesday rejecting the election tribunal ruling.

But Atiku, in his reaction said that the tribunal judgement failed to restore confidence “in our dreams of free and fair elections devoid of human manipulations.”

Speaking further, Atiku described himself as a fighter and a person who is no stranger to legal battles, throughout his political career.

He noted that his ultimate goal in this pursuit for justice is to ensure that democracy is further strengthened through the principles and processes of fair hearing.

“Like I did say at the beginning of this legal battle when I instructed my lawyers to file my petition challenging the outcome of the presidential election, my ultimate goal in this pursuit is to ensure that democracy is further strengthened through the principles and processes of fair hearing.”

He said he has directed his lawyers to seek an appeal to the higher court.

Atiku said: “I have asked my lawyers to activate my constitutionally guaranteed rights of appeal to the higher court, which, in the instance, is the Supreme Court. It is my conviction that the electoral process in Nigeria should be devoid of untidy manipulations and that the outcome of every election should be a perfect reflection of the wishes of the electorate.

“I believe that such is the only way through which our democracy can have a manifest expression of its true meaning. Whether I prevail in this quest or not, the record of my effort in ensuring an order of credible elections in Nigeria shall remain for future generations to evaluate.”