Presidential poll: I’m not surprised with PEPT verdict – Chekwas Okorie

…Says Atiku, Obi relied on technical points to win their petition

FOUNDER of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Chekwas Okorie, has said that he was not surprised that the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal upheld the election of President Bola Tinubu and dismissed the petitions of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP.

Noting that a similar verdict would be given at the Supreme Court if Atiku and Obi appealed the judgment, he said the duo did not prove how they won and were relying on technical points to win their petitions.

His words: “I am not surprised at the outcome of the judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, PEPT. I took the time to read through the petitions of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar  of the PDP  and Peter Obi of the Labour party before now.

“I was satisfied that the petitioners failed woefully to specify the polling units or collation centers where they were denied lawful votes, which could have earned either of them victory at the polls. Rather than prove a case of substantial non-compliance with the electoral law, they seemed to have relied on scoring technical points to win their petitions. Their strategy failed.

“It is clear even to the unwary that the framers of the 1999 constitution could not have intended to confer on the Federal Capital Territory, FTC, superior status to the rest of the states of the Federation. What is  clear to the discerning public  that painstakingly followed the delivery of the unanimous judgments by the five judges of the Tribunal which lasted for more than10 hours and which was broadcast live by all major television and radio networks in Nigeria is that the declaration of President Tinubu as the lawful winner of the February 25, 2023 Presidential election was well founded.

“While the petitioners may wish to exercise their right of appeal, l do not expect a different outcome. I most sincerely congratulate President Tinubu and his vice president, Senator Kashim Shettima.

“The President should be focused on the onerous task of governing a complex and complicated country without further distractions.

“In addition to delivering on his campaign promises, Nigeria’s geopolitical structure is in urgent need of resetting.

“President Tinubu is a well-known champion of true federalism. So much is expected from him in this regard. I am confident that he has the capacity and ability to launch Nigeria on the path of rapid and sustainable development. I urge Nigerians to pray for the President and cooperate with his administration.

“I also urge those in opposition to be constructive and patriotic  in their criticism of government policies and actions.

“The Legislature has a responsibility to revisit the electoral laws to remove all established lacuna and ambiguities to make future elections less contentious.”

(Vanguard)