The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, says the processes and outcome of last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections are “grossly flawed”.
He vowed to challenge the results in court.
Addressing a world news conference in Abuja on Thursday, Alhaji Atiku expressed regret that Nigerians, especially the youths, were “traumatized” by the outcome of the polls.
The former Vice-President claimed that the rigging and manipulation of the presidential election has been attested to by both local and international observers.
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“I want to believe that this was not the legacy that President Muhammadu Buhari had promised,” he said.
At the news conference held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua centre, Abuja, and attended by chieftains of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku said he had done “wide consultations” and had resolved to “challenge the election result in court”.
“Having consulted with leaders of our party and Nigerians from different walks of life, I have come to the conclusion that the processes and outcome of the Presidential and National Assembly election of last Saturday was grossly flawed in every material particular, and as such, must be challenged,” he vowed.
“I know that Nigerians, especially the youth, are traumatized by the developments, but I want to urge them to conduct themselves peacefully.”
He continued: “Like I have done over the years, I assure you that I will commit the rest of my life in ensuring that true democracy, which affirms the supremacy of your votes and your will, will take firm footing and guarantee a stable, prosperous and peaceful Nigeria.
“I call on all Nigerians to join hands together as we redeem our country from anti-democrats, as the 2023 presidential election presented the nation and its people the greatest opportunity for a reset.
“INEC failed to live up to expectations; the weekend election was neither free nor fair. Preliminary assessments indicate that it is the worst conducted elections since the return to democratic rule.
“I can still not understand why the electoral umpire was in such a hurry to conclude collation and announcement of the result, given the number of complaints of irregularities and bypassing of the BVAS.”
RN
