President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, welcomed the Supreme Court’s verdict which upheld his electoral victory at the February 25 Presidential Election.
He also sought the buy-in of Nigerians, promising to exceed expectations in terms of service delivery in the remaining years of his administration.
“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,” said the President in a personal statement he signed Thursday.
The statement is titled ‘It is time for us to build our great nation together.’
The apex court in its ruling dismissed the appeals by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party Atiku Abubakar and his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi.
A seven-judge panel ruled without merit the opposition appeals over claims of fraud, electoral law violations, and Tinubu’s ineligibility to run for president.
The court thrashed all the grounds of appeal of Atiku and PDP on qualification, non-compliance with the Electoral Act, the 25 per cent votes in FCT, and electoral malpractices.
In his statement, President Tinubu affirmed, “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.”
Tinubu said the Supreme Court’s verdict consolidates Nigeria’s electoral jurisprudence and constitutional democracy, embedding them more indelibly in the national consciousness.
He praised the seven judges who presided over the matter for their “diligence and undaunted professionalism.”
The President said while Thursday’s verdict 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.”
He reasoned that 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,” the one-time Lagos Governor asserted.
Tinubu assured Nigerians that his victory at the courts 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.”
Therefore “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,” he added.
The President argued that this moment demands that Nigerians continue to work and build the country together.
He said, “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,” Tinubu concluded.
