Tinubu celebrates tribunal judgement, as Sanwo-Olu congratulates him
By Ishaya Ibrahim
For President Bola Tinubu, Wednesday was a day of double celebration – his 100 days in office and victory at the victory at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT).
Tinubu who is in India assured Nigerians of his renewed and energized focus on delivering his vision of a unified, peaceful and prosperous nation.
This is even as his political protégé, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos sent him congratulatory message.
Tinubu in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said he welcomed the judgment of the Tribunal with an intense sense of solemn responsibility and preparedness to serve all Nigerians, irrespective of all diverse political persuasions, faith, and tribal identities.
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The President said he recognized the diligence, undaunted thoroughness, and professionalism of the five-member bench, led by Justice Haruna Tsammani in interpreting the law.
He affirmed that his commitment to the rule of law, and the unhindered discharge of duties by the Tribunal, as witnessed in the panel’s exclusive respect for the merits of the petitions brought forward, further reflect 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.
According to the statement, “The President believes the presidential candidates and political parties that have lawfully exercised their rights by participating in the 2023 general elections and the judicial process, which followed, have affirmed Nigeria’s democratic credentials.
“The President urges his valiant challengers to inspire their supporters in the trust that the spirit of patriotism will now and forever be elevated above partisan considerations, manifesting into support for our government to improve the livelihood of all Nigerians.
“Once more, President Tinubu thanks Nigerians for the mandate given to him to serve our country while promising to meet and exceed their expectations, by the grace of God Almighty, and through very diligent hard work with the team that has been put in place for that sole purpose.”
Congratulating President Tinubu on “the well-deserved victory at the Presidential Election Petition Court,” Sanwo-Olu said the APC members across Nigeria and Tinubu, worked very hard for the victory enjoyed at the February 25 presidential election, noting that Wednesday’s Court decision, was comforting and also an affirmation of the will of over eight million Nigerians who filed out to cast their ballots for the APC and Tinubu.
Sanwo-Olu in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said Nigerians had spoken through the ballots and the Court has also validated the citizens’ decision by today’s judicial pronouncements.
The Governor said millions of Nigerians were not in doubt as regards the mandate freely given to President Tinubu to steer the ship of Nigeria for four years based on his track records and laudable achievements as two-term Governor of Lagos State.
He said: “What we are witnessing today is the beauty of democracy and the rule of law. We had an election in February this year where over eight million Nigerians voted to elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We ordinarily thought that the losers should have displayed good spirit of sportsmanship by congratulating the winner (President Tinubu) but they chose to contest the election results, which is within their rights. Now that election and the results have been upheld by the Court. I hope they would do the needful.
“I congratulate the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu on his well-deserved victory at the Presidential Election Tribunal Court.
“I also congratulate the leadership and members of our great party, the All Progressives Congress, and all Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora on this very landmark judicial victory.”