Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has inaugurated his legal team to challenge the controversial presidential election of February 25, 2023.
While inaugurating the legal team at his headquarters in Abuja, the former Vice President, charged the team to establish the claim of illegality in the February 25 presidential election and reclaim the mandate of the Nigerian people.
He also told the team that apart from reclaiming the mandate from those who undertook the electoral heist that was not a reflection of the will of Nigerians, that the team should also use the opportunity of the trial to strengthen constitutional democracy in the country.
While addressing the team headed by Chief J. K. Gadzama, SAN, Atiku said it was imperative that they work assiduously in reclaiming the mandate not necessarily because of him and the PDP, but to strengthen democracy and the electoral process and for generations unborn.”
The members of the team include Chief Chris Uche (SAN), Mr. Paul Usoro (SAN), Tayo Jegede (SAN), Ken Mozia (SAN), Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Mahmood Magaji (SAN), Joe Abraham (SAN), Mr Chukwuma Umeh (SAN), Dr. Garba Tetengi (SAN) and Chief Emeka Etiaba (SAN).
Others are Chief Goddy Uche (SAN), Prof. Maxwell Gidado (SAN); the National Legal Adviser of the PDP, A. K. Ajibade (SAN), Mr. O. M. Atoyebi, (SAN), Mrs. Nella Rabana (SAN), Paul Ogbole (SAN), Nuremi Jimoh (SAN), and Abdul Ibrahim (SAN).
The PDP presidential candidate also used the opportunity to rally supporters to turn out en-mass to vote for PDP in the March 11 governorship election.
While appreciating Nigerians for their high sense of patriotism in bracing the odds to perform their civic duty during the February 25 presidential election, Atiku, in a statement, appreciated their resilience, tenacity, and courage.
He noted that it is indeed heart-warming that they have faith in rescuing and rebuilding the country, as envisioned by PDP.
He said, “As attested to by both local and international observers, the result of the February 25 presidential election as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission was grossly tainted and did not reflect the will of the electorates. Nigerians have demonstrated against this blatant injustice through different mediums. And for that, I thank them again for their non-violent conduct despite the provocations.
“Indeed, what INEC did in announcing the manipulated result was a clear breach of not only the 2022 Electoral Act but also of its own guidelines which the electoral commission had repeatedly claimed would uphold the standards we had seen in the Osun and Ekiti States elections. Curiously, the INEC Chairman further ignored calls for a review of the process in line with the amended law.
The former Vice President added, “But all hope is not lost. As citizens desirous of a better Nigeria, we must never give in to apathy. The electoral fraud perpetrated by INEC will be reversed in due course as we step up the cause to reclaim our mandate.
“We must continue to show resilience in the defence of our democracy and in the exercise of our rights to vote,” he said.
The PDP presidential candidate urged all their supporters to turn out in large numbers on March 11 to cast their votes for the PDP in the governorship and State Houses of Assembly election.
“There is no better way to demonstrate against the sham of an election of February 25 than for patriotic citizens like you to turn out en masse this Saturday to vote for a greater and prosperous Nigeria as envisioned by the PDP,” he said.
- FG moves to secure natural resources, as presidential committee meets service chiefs - January 25, 2024
- Kogi govt pays JAMB registration fees for 15,033 public school students - January 24, 2024
- Edo Guber: APC debunks aspirants screening disqualification rumours - January 24, 2024