President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria has said that the legal challenge against his re-election was not surprising to him.
The president made the statement while addressing journalists after he and his wife cast their vote in Daura, Katsina State, on Saturday.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on Wednesday, February 27 declared Buhari winner of the 2019 presidential election.
According to INEC, Buhari won the elections in 19 states, polling a total of 15,191,847 votes, and defeating 72 other candidates including his closest opponent, Atiku Abubakar, who polled a total of 11, 255,978 votes and won in 17 states and the FCT.
In reaction to the defeat, Atiku put together a legal team to challenge the verdict.
The PDP presidential candidate sought redress at a tribunal, demanding that materials used for the Feb. 23 presidential election be inspected by his legal team, a request that was granted by the court.
However, in his reaction to Atiku and the PDP’s move, President Buhari said that he expected the challenge beforehand.
Regarding fears of a possible eruption of violence during the governorship elections, the President said that he was leaving the situation to the law enforcement agencies.
He added that the police had identified all flash points and had made arrangements to check breakdown of law and order.