In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has affirmed the electoral victory of President Bola Tinubu, a decision that has stirred strong reactions from the Labour Party (LP).
The LP, in response, has raised concerns about what they perceive as the ruling All Progressives Congress’s (APC) influence over both the legislative and judicial arms of the government.
At a press briefing held shortly after the Supreme Court dismissed appeals by the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and his LP counterpart, Peter Obi, LP’s Chairman, Julius Abure, expressed the party’s disappointment.
Abure acknowledged the verdict but maintained the LP’s resolve to forge ahead, expressing optimism about the nation’s future.
The seven-judge panel, led by Justice John Iyang Okoro, ruled against the opposition appeals, which alleged fraud, electoral law violations, and Tinubu’s ineligibility to run for president.
The apex court upheld the September 6, 2023, decision by the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal, affirming the victory of APC’s Tinubu.
Abure, in his remarks, expressed shock and surprise at the Supreme Court’s alignment with the earlier judgment despite perceived flaws in the Tribunal’s decision.
He painted a bleak picture of Nigeria sliding towards dictatorship, asserting that the executive has seemingly gained undue influence over both the judiciary and the legislature.
“We weep for our institutions that cannot rise to the occasion and courageously defend democracy and the voices of our people,” lamented Abure, attributing the erosion of democratic values to unbridled ambition.
The LP chairman also made alarming allegations, claiming that government vilification targeted some leaders of the party, including himself and Peter Obi, to suppress the party and its vision for a new Nigeria.
In light of these developments, Abure called on the international community to stand against perceived threats to democracy in Nigeria.
“Your voices were loud and clear in condemnation of the outcome of the presidential election.
As we approach the next stage of our democratic journey, we call on you to stand by the millions of Nigerians who are already pushed beyond their limits into unnecessary hardship and penury,” he urged.
Despite the challenges, Abure urged Nigerians not to lose hope, emphasizing that a new Nigeria is still possible.
He called for resilience and reiterated the importance of collective will in steering the country towards a better future.
