Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general elections, has called on the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal to uphold justice in his petition seeking the nullification of Ahmed Bola Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 election. Atiku emphatically stated that the heavens will not fall when Tinubu is removed from the presidency, as he believes justice must prevail in the face of massive electoral fraud that led to Tinubu’s assumption of office.
In his final written address, prepared by his lead counsel, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, the former Vice President dismissed Tinubu’s threats as empty tactics aimed at intimidating the Tribunal from delivering a just verdict on the petition challenging Tinubu’s election.
Atiku recalled the bold stance of the Supreme Court in the case of Rotimi Amaechi, where it was asserted that justice must be served, even if the heavens were to fall. He urged the Tribunal to summon the same courage displayed in that judgment and set aside Tinubu’s presidency if it is proven that justice was not rightfully served.
The former Vice President argued that Tinubu had lost both moral and legal rights to hold the office of the President, considering his admission of punitive forfeiture of four hundred and six thousand United States of America Dollars in a narcotics and money laundering related matter.
Furthermore, Atiku accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of manipulating the presidential election results in favor of Tinubu through corrupt means and called for the nullification of the electoral body’s proclamation, urging the Tribunal to declare him as the rightful winner based on the majority of lawful votes garnered.
Atiku’s plea before the Tribunal seeks a fair and just resolution, maintaining that the principles of justice and truth should guide the proceedings to ensure a lawful and accurate outcome for the betterment of Nigeria’s democracy.