In this statement, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), emphasizes the importance of facts and evidence in winning election petitions. Here are the key points from his statement:
- Wike commends the Presidential Election Petitions Court for affirming the victory of President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 25 presidential election.
- He mentions that he did not support his own party, the PDP, and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, at the tribunal because he believed their position was wrong, and he values equity, fairness, and justice.
- Wike highlights the unique nature of election petition cases, emphasizing that they are not won through propaganda or social media but rather through the presentation of evidence and facts.
- He indicates that the justices on the tribunal carefully and painstakingly examined all aspects of the case, from preliminary objections to motions, objections on documents and exhibits, and substantial issues.
- The Minister of FCT, who is also a lawyer, suggests that there may be no need for the petitioners, including Atiku, the PDP, and others, to appeal the tribunal’s judgment because he believes the tribunal has affirmed the will of the Nigerian people.
Overall, Wike’s statement underscores the importance of due process, evidence, and legal arguments in election petition cases, and he expresses his belief in the fairness and justice of the tribunal’s decision regarding the presidential election.