Atiku rejects result of presidential election, says poll must be challenged

Presidential candidates from People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has rejected the results of the 2023 presidential election, describing it as the worst election since Nigeria returned to Democracy in 1999.

Atiku stated this at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday.

It is the first time he will comment on February 25 after the election Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday announced that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Tinubu, was declared the winner of the poll.

The Chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, who announced the results, said Mr. Tinubu polled a total of 8,794,726 while Atiku polled 6,984,520.

Peter Obi of the Labor Party (LP) came third with 6,101,533 votes.

Overall, 18 candidates participated in the presidential election.

Before protesting, call for cancellation

The PDP was the first to object to the collation of presidential results and the subsequent announcement of Mr. Tinubu as the winner of the election.

On Monday, during the collection of results at the National Collection Centre, PDP Agent and member of the party’s presidential campaign council, Dino Melaye, insisted that INEC should upload the results of all polling units to the election viewer portal (IReV).

When the INEC Chairman tried to proceed with the collection without uploading the results, he walked out of the collection center in protest. He was joined by an LP agent.

The next day, while the results were still being collected, the PDP called for the annulment of the election results and for another election to be held under the supervision of someone other than Mr. Yakubu.

The LP, and the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), which came third and fourth in the election, also rejected the results.

Mr. Obi said on Thursday that he would seek compensation in court for the return of his mandate.

The worst election since the return of democracy

However, at a press conference at the PDP national secretariat, Atiku condemned the conduct of the election, saying INEC had ruined the hopes of Nigerians by conducting the election.

He said the election was not free and fair, adding that the preliminary assessment was the worst election since the country returned to democracy.

He said the fraud and manipulation experienced in the election was unprecedented in the history of the country.

“The 2023 presidential election presents our nation and its people, with the greatest opportunity to reset. We have everything to do, the legal framework in the 2022 Electoral Act and BVAS technology, the passion of Nigerians to come out and many bonuses,” he said.

“However, the dreams and aspirations of Nigerians who braved all the challenges to vote and vote on Saturday February 25 were shattered by the actions of INEC which failed to meet expectations.”

The PDP candidate said he had consulted with PDP leaders and other Nigerians and decided to contest the election.

He said lawyers are reviewing the results to provide legal advice.

“I still don’t know why the election referee hastily concluded the collection and announcement of the results, because of the many complaints about irregularities, bypassing BVAS, failure to upload to IREV and the unprecedented cancellation and disenfranchisement of millions of voters who violated the Electoral Law in the guidelines the commission is really rape in democracy,” he said.

“After consulting with the leaders of our party who are sitting here with me and Nigerians in various walks of life, I have come to the conclusion that the process and results of the presidential and National Assembly elections last Saturday are deeply flawed in every material and as such must be challenged by all of us.”

Atiku also said that he hopes the court will redeem itself and meet the expectations of the people, saying that this is the last hope for the people.

He also called on Nigerians to remain calm as the party took steps to seek compensation

He said: “In the end, who wins is not as important as the credibility of the election and the election process. I call on all men and women of good will to join us in the front line to defend our constitution from the brigandage of anti-democratic forces. Finally, I calling on Nigerians to remain vigilant and resolute.

The press conference was attended by PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, National Secretary, Sylvester Anyanwu, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, former Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun State, Boni Haruna and Celestine Omehia of Rivers State. and some loyal to other parties.