PDP, ATIKU RAISING FALSE ALARM: Unsubstantiated Claims and Desperation

In separate statements, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the spokesperson of Atiku Abubakar, its defeated Presidential candidate, have launched scathing attacks on the judiciary and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The PDP, reeling from recent setbacks at the appeal court, has resorted to desperate measures by blaming President Tinubu for their electoral misfortunes. These accusations are not only weighty but also lack any substantial evidence. The party and its candidate seem to be grasping at straws, failing to introspect before making reckless allegations.

President Tinubu’s team, led by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, refuted the claims, asserting that the President, as a true democrat, has not interfered with the judiciary’s independence. The statement emphasizes past instances where under President Tinubu’s leadership, the judiciary made decisions against his party. It discredits Atiku’s assertion that the President is planning to turn Nigeria into a one-party state through the appointment of “loyalists” as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs). These allegations, deemed as deliberate attempts to sow discord, exist solely in the imagination of the PDP and the former vice-president.

President Tinubu’s Democratic Record: A Global Acknowledgment

Contrary to Atiku Abubakar’s narrative, President Tinubu’s record as a democrat of high repute has received global acknowledgment. His tenure as governor witnessed significant strides in various facets of Lagos state, attributing the dominance of his political structure to democratic practices, not undemocratic conduct as suggested by Atiku. The statement highlights Atiku’s recent confession about the electoral manipulations carried out by his party in the South West in 2003, showcasing a stark contrast between their democratic values.

The statement also challenges Atiku and the PDP to reconcile their past celebrations of court decisions that favored them, such as the cases in Zamfara, Rivers, and Bayelsa States, with their current mudslinging of the judiciary and President Tinubu. It calls for an end to the campaign of calumny and blackmail against the judiciary, emphasizing that judgments are based on law and evidence, not sentiments and emotions.

Appeal Court Rulings: A Closer Look at Past Precedents

Taking a closer look at the recent appeal court rulings on governorship polls in Plateau, Zamfara, and Nasarawa States, the statement questions Atiku’s selective amnesia regarding similar rulings in the past. It points out the 2019 rulings in Zamfara, Rivers, and Bayelsa States, where courts made decisions against the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the PDP celebrated these outcomes as victories for democracy.

The statement urges Atiku and the PDP to uphold the principles of fair play and respect for the rule of law. It calls for an end to the baseless accusations and mudslinging, emphasizing that judgments should be accepted based on their legal merits, not on the party’s current fortunes.

Stop the Campaign of Calumny: A Plea for Responsible Opposition (PDP)

The statement concludes with a plea for Atiku and the PDP to cease their campaign of calumny against the judiciary and the honorable judges and justices. It emphasizes that judgments should be grounded in law and evidence, urging the opposition to adhere to legal processes rather than tarnishing the image of an essential arm of government.

In the midst of political tensions, this comprehensive response from President Tinubu’s camp aims to provide clarity and counter the false narratives propagated by the PDP and Atiku Abubakar, emphasizing the importance of responsible opposition and adherence to the rule of law.