Former President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, described the decision to dismiss the appeals by Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party by the Supreme Court as a welcome relief to him and a majority of the citizens.
The former President, in a statement by Garba Shehu, said the judgement was a reaffirmation of the will of the majority of the people against the determined will of a hard-fighting minority.
“Now that we have arrived at the last bus stop, after a tortuous 8-months of expensive legal journey, the nation deserves a break. The opposition has fought a good fight.
” Having now exhausted their rights as constitutionally allowed, they should take the hand of fellowship extended by the Tinubu/Shettima APC government.” Buhari said.
Buhari urged members of the opposition to allow the government to run their administration and the people to have the benefit of the promises the All Progressives Congress, APC made.
Buhari expressed concern over low voting percentage all over the country, especially in urban areas and said this should change given the acceptance and vibrancy of democracy in Nigeria.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeed Abbas, while also reacting to the judgement, said it was not something unexpected.
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” It is something that we have been waiting. We know ultimately, what we heard today is what is going to be said but the fact that it has come at this early hours, we have nothing to say, but to say thank God for Nigeria.
” I think this time around, after this pronouncement, we have no excuse, but to go back to business as usual, to go back and reset our agenda and see what we can be able to do for the people of Nigeria for the next three and a half or four years.
In his message to the opposition, the Speaker said ” there is always one victor at a time, this is Asiwaju’s time, they should all take heart, come and join hands with him. So that we move Nigeria to a greater level.”
George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation ( SGF), described the judgement as ” a revalidation of the mandate which the Nigerian people gave him and our electoral process also involves the judicial process”
According to him, ” The people spoke loud and clear, some people were aggrieved
He, however, added that the highest court, the Supreme Court spoke loud and clear that that mandate was freely given, adding that ” that is what we want in this country”
“We want stability, we don’t want distraction. The President has taken off beautifully, and he has the people’s interest at heart. So far, his choices are tough, but at the end of the day, they will make for a better tomorrow, so we are very happy about what has happened today. Nigerians are celebrating”
Governor Hycent Alia of Benue State also described the judgement as “quite exciting” adding that the government is ” going to move ahead I know that our President has great plans for the nation and particularly in my state, and I will not want us to miss out on that at all, his victory is not just a victory for the nation but those of us who are not on the same page for growth and development as it is intending, it is a larger victory for all of us”
He described the judges as men and women who are meticulous with the books.
“Today is a blessing for Nigeria that our sitting President carries the day; please let us all join hands with him to take our nation to higher heights because he has not just the potential; he has already started exhibiting what will bring our further growth”
