Abati: I thought I could rattle Tinubu during media chat — but he knows what he’s doing

By Emmanuel Mogbede

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, it to tender an unreserved apology over what it described as its reckless and unjustified attacks on the judiciary following the Supreme Court judgments on 2023 governorship elections delivered on Friday.

The Supreme Court had upheld the victories of the governors Bauchi, Plateau and Zamfara States elected on the platform of PDP in the judgments. The apex Court also upheld the victory of the governors of Kano and Abia States elected on the platform of the Labour Party and NNPP respectively.

The PDP had at various times launched attacks on the judiciary over court decisions on the governorship elections.

While reacting to the Supreme Court judgments, Felix Morka, the National Publicity Secretary of APC chided the PDP and urged it to tender an unreserved apology to the courts over its alleged reckless and unjustified attacks on the judiciary.

The APC spokesperson said the Supreme Court judgments affirmed the vibrancy and independence of the Nigerian judiciary.

He added that the apex court’s decision was a rebuke of opposition politicians who had vilified and denigrated the judiciary when judgments were handed against them by lower courts.

“In Lagos, Ebonyi and Cross River States, the Supreme Court upheld the election of governorship candidates of our great party.

“However, the appeals on Kano, Zamfara, Bauchi, Plateau and Abia states were decided in favour of other political parties and their candidates.

“While the Apex Court’s decisions will undoubtedly elicit mixed reactions and reviews, the decisions are final and binding on all parties to the legal contests.

“The decisions today provide a strong affirmation of the authority, vibrancy and independence of the judiciary,” Morka added.

He said that the APC had been consistent in its position that the judiciary must be allowed to perform its important duty of resolving disputes, including electoral matters.

He congratulated the winners, particularly governors, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, and Bassey Otu of Cross River.

Morka wished them the best as they continued to serve their states and country.

He urged everyone to remain calm and continue to maintain the peace in the interest of all. EEM/MZA