Akpabio: Tribunal judgement affirmed Nigerians’ mandate for Tinubu, APC

Senate President Godswill Akpabio says the judgement of the presidential election petitions tribunal on Wednesday affirmed the mandate that Nigerians have for President Bola Tinubu.

A five-member panel of the tribunal on Wednesday affirmed the victory of Tinubu in the February 25  election.

Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) respectively, had filed petitions against Tinubu’s victory.

In a statement on Thursday, Akpabio said the country’s electoral process is making steady progress and deserves the appreciation and support of all citizens.

He said victory at the tribunal reinforced the popular mandate of the joint ticket of Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

“I applaud the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal for upholding the victory of our President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and our Vice President, His Excellency, Kashim Shettima, at the 2023 presidential polls,” Akpabio said.

“I also congratulate our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), on its vindication by this well-thought-out landmark judgment.

“This judgment has expressly affirmed the popular mandate of the Nigerian people for our party the APC and its Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates, freely given at the February 2023 polls.

“As the court has painstakingly addressed all the issues raised by the petitioners, I urge all concerned to accept the judgment and join hands with the Tinubu government in its bold efforts to secure the wellbeing of our people.”