PDP Rejects PEPC Verdict, Says It’s Against INEC Guidelines

ABUJA – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has on Wednesday rejected the Presidential Elections Petition Court (PEPC) Judgement, saying it is against reason, facts and evidence presented in Court.

The party said that with its lawyers, they will have a comprehensive review of the Judgment and decide on the next line of action within the ambit of the law. Recall that PDP had after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the February 25 presidential election, had challenged INEC, the APC and its candidate, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu in court.

The Presidential Elections Petition Court had on Wednesday declared that Tinubu is the rightful winner of the election and struck out the petitions of PDP.

Reacting to the verdict PDP, in a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Debo Ologunagba said:

“A few moments ago, the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) delivered Judgment in the Petition filed by our Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its Candidate, Atiku Abubakar against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the declaration of the APC and Senator Tinubu as Winner of the February 25, 2023 Presidential election by INEC.

“As a Party, we have had an initial review of the Judgment as delivered by the PEPC and we unequivocally reject the said Judgement in its entirety.

“The Judgement is against reason, against the facts and evidence presented in Court; against the relevant Electoral Laws, Guidelines and Regulations as well as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). Indeed, the Judgment is generous in technicalities and very short in delivering substantial justice in the matter.

“The PDP, as a law-abiding political Party, will with our lawyers, have a comprehensive review of the Judgment and decide on the next line of action within the ambit of the law.”

The party, however, enjoined Nigerians to remain at alert, calm and united as it continues to lead the charge to defend democracy and ensure that the Will of the people as expressed in the February 25, 2023 Presidential election is respected and restored.