Atiku: Supreme court’s dismissal of PDP’s suit not setback for my quest for justice

Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president, says the dismissal of the double nomination suit filed against Kashim Shettima is not a setback for him.

On Friday, the supreme court dismissed the suit seeking the disqualification of Bola Tinubu and Shettima as presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The apex court held that the PDP lacked the locus standi to institute the suit.

The five-member panel said the PDP is not a member of the APC, hence the party is a “meddlesome interloper” for delving into the internal affairs of the ruling party.

The PDP had claimed that Shettima’s nomination as Tinubu’s running mate was in breach of the provisions of sections 29(1), 33, 35, and 84(1)(2) of the Electoral Act.

The party alleged that Shettima was still the APC’s candidate for Borno central senatorial district on July 14 when he accepted the nomination as vice-presidential candidate.

In a statement issued hours after the court’s verdict, Abubakar said the development is not a setback for his quest for justice.

Abubakar and the PDP are contesting Tinubu’s victory at the election petition tribunal.

He said: “The supreme court’s dismissal of the case of the PDP is not a setback to my quest for justice.

“Our legal team are primed to robustly prove that the election of February 25 was fraudulent, did not comply with the constitutional requirements and the electoral guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission, and that the announced winner was not even qualified to contest the poll.

“The battle for democracy and the enthronement of a new order to spur growth and development in Nigeria is one to which I have committed my all and for which I am not ready to walk away at this point when our nation is at crossroads.

“We know that sooner than later, our esteemed Justices will make the pronouncement that will serve as a befitting requiem for mandate bandits.”

Abubakar asked his supporters to be patient and conduct themselves peaceably as he “diligently proves” his case at the tribunal.