People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has expressed confidence in the
judicial process in his bid to upturn the result of the election, which was in
favour of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The former vice president was
also confident that justice would eventually be done at the court and he would
reclaim his mandate.
Atiku has approached the
Presidential Electoral Petitions Tribunal to declare him the winner of the
February 23 poll, claiming that he has evidence that his mandate was stolen.
The PDP presidential candidate,
who spoke in Abuja during a visit to some of the elders/leaders of the Southern
and Middle Belt region, said the struggle to reclaim the mandate is achievable
with their support.
Atiku was optimistic that justice
would be done eventually, adding that he has confidence in the country’s
judicial process.
He said: “As I had announced
earlier, I have rejected the result of the election. As announced earlier, we
have filed our petition before the tribunal or the courts because we believe this is a mandate that has
been stolen from the Nigerian people. And I believe that the courts will do
justice in this case.
“We still have confidence in our
courts and we believe justice will be done.
“The most important thing is that
we have been able to galvanise the people of this country to think alike and
act alike in unity.”
Atiku, who also reinstated his
position on restructuring the country, said there was nothing to fear about
restructuring.
“Of course, we have also come to
realise and accept that the basis of our unity, our coexistence lies
fundamentally on restructuring this country so that every part of this country
can have a sense of belonging and also have opportunity to exploit their human and
materiel resources for the development of the citizens while remaining in the
same country.”
Atiku added: “I, therefore,
believe this struggle is a struggle that we must continue together and we will
achieve it and I believe it is also achievable.
“I strongly commit myself to that
and Nigerians don’t have anything to fear or dread about restructuring of this
country. After all, we started as a restructured federation and everybody felt
at home with that arrangement.
“Of course, over the years, we all
know how the military has virtually brought a unitary federation.
Commending the elders for their
support before, during and after the election, Atiku also added that it would
have been difficult to come this far without the support of the people.
“Therefore, I want to thank you
very much indeed for your support. The results we have achieved, particularly
myself and the party I represent would not have been possible without your
support across the country.
“Once again, I thank you very
much indeed and look forward to continue the relationship until our objectives
are achieved.”
Southsouth leader Chief Edwin
Clark assured Atiku of the support of the group in the struggle to retrieve his
mandate.
He also stressed that the group
would keep pushing for restructuring until it is achieved.
He said: “Our struggle continues;
the restructuring of Nigeria is irreversible. No matter whatever the method
used, we will continue to be with the promoter of restructuring until the end
of the battle. Nigeria has to be federated. We want restructuring, without
restructuring, it will be difficult to have Nigeria together.”
Clark also noted that the former
vice president’s visit shows that they are still together in the struggle.
“It shows that we are still
together. We want to assure you that we will always be with you.
“We are happy that you are in
court, you have already filed your papers; it’s not a question of saying am
going to court. We are behind you. And by the grace of God, we will achieve
what we are struggling for.”
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