Tribunal judgement: I’m more focused on serving Nigerians, says Tinubu

Following the presidential election petition tribunal judgement upholding the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 25 presidential election against Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the president has said that the tribunal judgement has renewed his goal of unifying Nigeria.

Tinubu, in a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, his spokesperson, said the judgement renewed and energised his focus on delivering his vision of a unified, peaceful and prosperous nation.

The statement reads, “President Tinubu welcomes the court’s judgment with an intense sense of solemn responsibility and preparedness to serve all Nigerians, irrespective of all diverse political persuasions, faiths, and tribal identities.”

“The President recognises the diligence, undaunted thoroughness and professionalism of the five-member bench, led by Justice Haruna Tsammani, in interpreting the law.

“The President affirms that his commitment to the rule of law and the unhindered discharge of duties by the Court, as witnessed in the panel’s exclusive respect for the merits of the petitions brought forward, further reflects the continuing maturation of Nigeria’s legal system, and the advancement of Africa’s largest democracy at a time when our democratic system of government is under test in other parts of the continent.”

The statement added that the lawful process which the petitioners took affirmed Nigeria’s democratic credentials while urging the challengers to inspire their supporters to take up patriotism above partisan considerations.

The Informant247 reports that after months of legal fireworks at the tribunal, Tinubu was returned on Wednesday by the five-person panel as the duly elected president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The tribunal led by Haruna Tsamman said the petitions filed by Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) challenging the presidential election results were “all devoid of merit”.

Part of the charges against Tinubu included his failure to secure 25 per cent of votes cast in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and his forfeiture of $460,000 in the US.