Ahead of the commencement of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, the PDP New Generation, a youth-based pressure group within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has charged the Nigerian judiciary to rise to the defence of democracy.
According to a statement issued by the National Executive Council of the group, the youths disclosed that upon the commencement of the tribunal, all eyes would be on the judiciary, and their performance would either defend or destroy the hope of young Nigerians.
The NEC stated that the performance of the Nigerian judiciary during this process would make or mar the future of elections in this country, adding that it would reiterate confidence in the judiciary or erode confidence.
Part of the statement read:
“We are optimistic that the tribunal will do the right thing. We are counting on them to do the right thing in the interest and benefit of our dear nation and save us from the embarrassment of being a laughing stock among the comity of nations”.
The group maintained that the declaration of Tinubu as the presidential election winner was “invalid because of non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022”.
Atiku, through his team of lawyers led by Mr. Joe Kyari Gadzama, SAN, further argued that Tinubu’s election was invalid because of corrupt practices.
“The 2nd Respondent was not qualified to contest the election at the time of the election,” Atiku added while listing grounds that he said the court should consider nullifying Tinubu’s election.
The group prayed to the court to declare Atiku the presidential election winner, having secured the second-highest number of lawful votes cast at the polls.