By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the last general election and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has congratulated governors of the PDP whose elections were upheld by the Supreme Court on Friday.
Similarly, the PDP Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF) has felicitated with the Governors of Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Enugu, Plateau and Zamfara States on their respective victories at the nation’s apex court.
The former Vice President, in a congratulatory message contained in a press statement by his media office, on Friday, said that the decision of the court is good news to the people of Bauchi, Plateau, Akwa Ibom and Zamfara states, and indeed, a win for constitutional democracy.
The PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 election also congratulated the Governor of Kano State, Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), reaffirming his position that only a united opposition force can strengthen democracy in Nigeria.
According to Atiku, where Justice is seen to have been substantially rendered, “we, as patriots and citizens, will always applaud”.
The statement from Atiku’s media office reads, “Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the last General Election and former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has congratulated governors of the PDP whose elections were upheld by the Supreme Court on Friday.
“The former Vice President in a congratulatory message contained in a press statement by his media office, also on Friday, said that the decision of the court is good news to the people of Bauchi, Plateau, Cross River and Zamfara states, and indeed, a win for constitutional democracy.
“The PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 election also congratulated the Governor of Kano State, Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), reaffirming his position that only a united opposition force can strengthen democracy in Nigeria.
“I am as prepared as ever, to lead the charge, alongside all our leaders and Governors, for the good of our country”, he said.
Continuing, Atiku said, “Where Justice is seen to have been substantially rendered, we, as patriots and citizens, will always applaud.”
Atiku remarked that by the verdict of the apex court, “there is a guaranteed continuation of the standards of good governance which the PDP has brought to the respective states.”
He further urged the respective PDP governors, namely Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Barr. Caleb Muftwang of Plateau and Pastor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom to see their wins at the Supreme Court as an opportunity to consolidate and expand the scope of the good governance they have already established.
Atiku noted that with the electioneering phase now concluded, he is certain that the PDP will now be able to focus on its role as the major opposition party in the country, with the party’s able governors at the helm along with his humble self.
The PDP Governors’ Forum, in a statement signed by its Director-General, Hon CID Maduabum pointed out that it is reassuring to note that the will and votes of the greater majority in their respective States have been formally validated by the Supreme Court.
These verdicts, according to the PDP-GF, represent a triumph of democracy, rule of law, and due process in Nigeria, stressing that it also reaffirms the sanctity of the ballot as the determining factor for democratic legitimacy.
The statement by Maduabum reads, “The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, PDP-GF, under the Chairmanship of His Excellency, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, CON, and Governor of Bauchi State, felicitates the Governors of Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Enugu, Plateau and Zamfara States – H.E. Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Fintiri, CON; Pastor Umoh Eno; H E. Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, CON; H.E. Barr. Peter Mbah, Ph.D; H.E. Barr. Caleb Mutfwang and H.E. Dr. Dauda Lawal – on their Supreme Court victories, which are resounding affirmations of mandates of their people by the Apex Court.
“It is reassuring to note that the will and votes of the greater majority in their respective States have been formally validated by the Supreme Court.
“The PDP-GF, in several meetings and statements, affirmed their strong belief in the ability of the Supreme Court to do justice.
“This belief has been reconfirmed by the Apex Court and we commend the Supreme Court for living up to the expectations of the Nigerian people. “These verdicts represent a triumph of democracy, rule of law, and due process in Nigeria. It reaffirms the sanctity of the ballot as the determining factor for democratic legitimacy.
“The Forum is further strengthened to continue to be a critical voice for the enthronement of good governance and defence of the Nigerian people.
“The Forum prays for wisdom and God’s favour in the lives of the respective Governors, as the affirmation of these mandates have cleared the path for them to continue in the enormous tasks of rendering selfless and excellent services to their people and taking their states to greater heights.
“Once again, congratulations on this momentous occasion, which also ensures democratic stability in Nigeria”, the Forum said.
