The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has received the results of Saturday’s presidential election as announced by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The National Chairman of the party, Shehu Gabam, stated this at a press conference on the results of the presidential election, in Abuja on Thursday.
Mr. Gabam said despite the challenges seen during the election, the SDP stood by the declaration of Bola Tinubu as the president elected by INEC.
He noted that the election had challenges including using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and uploading the election results on the INEC Result Viewing Portal.
Therefore, he advised the candidates and other parties who were aggrieved by the results of the election to seek peaceful and legal compensation.
He commended INEC, under the leadership of Mahmood Yakubu, for overcoming all odds, urging them to perfect the system ahead of the March 11 governorship and council elections.
“Elections have been won and lost, what is right in the interest of our country, is that all complaints should be handled through appropriate and highly accountable channels.
“Our party strongly believes in the country’s judicial system that can deal with various issues from the election, the concerns expressed, and to do what is needed.
“We also note that democratic consolidation for national unity and sustainable growth and development is the imperative of today.
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“SDP calls on the political class and the general public to refrain from violence in their actions and statements.
“They must be practical and real, work for peace and social order in the interests of our country.”
Gabam advised the court to be fair to all political parties and candidates who will seek compensation in the elections.
“He has a responsibility to prove to the world and Nigerians that he will be just and fair to all parties.
“Our laws must be enforceable regardless of who is involved,” said Mr. Gabam.
He congratulated Tinubu on his victory, urging him to take deliberate and practical steps to bring other candidates as well as other aggrieved parties into the administration.
“Unifying the country through a government of national unity to repair the obvious national cracks, overcome failures, heal the land and speed up the process of national reconciliation.
He appreciated the media for its objective reporting before, during and after the elections.
Mr. Gabam praised the performance of the presidential candidate and the party’s national assembly and appreciated Nigerians for trusting the party with their votes.
He said the party finished sixth in the presidential election, and won two senatorial seats and four House seats.
He said that, while the party will not challenge the presidential election in court, it will challenge the national assembly election in the place where SDP is believed to have won.
He pledged to continue to support the party for its candidates in the state elections, expressing confidence that the SDP will win several governorship seats and the State Assembly.
Gabam said the SDP is not a protest party in the 2023 general election and has not issued a directive in this regard because it believes in the peace and unity of Nigeria.
“However, every party has the right to protest, but we are not a protest party,” Gabam said.
(IN)
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