Akpabio, Lawan, Barau hail tribunal verdict, congratulate Tinubu on election victory

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, his deputy Barau Jibrin, and the immediate past senate president, Ahmad Lawan, have commended the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) for upholding the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in the 2023 presidential election.

In a unanimous judgement delivered on Wednesday by Justice Haruna Tsammani, the PEPC dismissed the petition filed by the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, challenging the outcome of the February 25 poll.

In separate statements issued on Thursday, Akpabio, Lawan, and Barau described the tribunal verdict as an affirmation of the popular mandate of the Nigerian people for the Tinubu/Shettima ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

They also congratulated President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima on their resounding victory at the court and urged them to continue to deliver on their Renewed Hope Agenda for the nation.

Akpabio, in a statement by his media office, said that the five-member panel of the tribunal painstakingly evaluated all the issues raised by the petitioners and delivered a clear verdict on the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.

He asserted that it was clear to all dispassionate observers that, despite the challenges, Nigeria’s electoral process is making steady progress and deserves the appreciation and support of all Nigerians and friends of Nigeria.

He urged Nigerians to continue to support Tinubu’s government in its drive to transform the country for the benefit of all.

Lawan, in a statement by his media adviser, Ola Awoniyi, said that the judgement of the tribunal has vindicated Tinubu’s competence and capacity to lead Nigeria to greater heights.

He said that Tinubu has demonstrated his commitment to fulfilling his campaign promises by initiating and implementing policies and programmes that are aimed at improving the living standards of Nigerians and enhancing the nation’s security and stability.

He called on all Nigerians to rally behind Tinubu’s administration and support its efforts to build a prosperous and peaceful nation.

Barau, in a statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Ismail Mudashir, said that the judgement of the tribunal has reaffirmed the choice of Nigerians who trooped out on February 25 to vote for Tinubu as their president.

He said that Tinubu has proven himself as a visionary leader who has a clear agenda for Nigeria’s development and progress.

He appealed to all Nigerians, irrespective of party differences, to team up with Tinubu’s government to address the challenges facing the country.