Full Speech: Atiku Addresses Supreme Court Verdict

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the election of February 25, 2023, spoke to the country in an Abuja press conference following the Supreme Court’s decision to reject his appeal. In addition to reiterating his commitment to justice and democracy in Nigeria, his address sent a strong warning about the repercussions of the court’s decision.

A Fight for Democracy

Throughout his address, Atiku steadfastly defended democracy. He declared that the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic procedures was more important to him than his own electoral defeat. His serious concern was that the Supreme Court may approve of conduct that would otherwise be considered “illegality, including forgery, identity theft, and perjury.” Atiku contended that the country would suffer greatly if such conduct were rewarded by the highest court in the Nation.

He went on to say that if the Supreme Court upholds the notion that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) can act against its own public promises in order to rig elections, then Nigeria’s democracy and electoral politics would be in jeopardy. Democracy would be under danger and the Nigerian people’s faith in the election system would be seriously damaged.

A Historical Perspective

Atiku emphasized his steadfast dedication to the rule of law and democratic principles. He talked about his previous battles, such as his participation in the effort to overthrow the military and his resistance to a government staying in office longer than allowed by the constitution. Atiku stood up for what he believed in and sought justice in the courts, even at tremendous personal cost.

The 2023 Presidential Election

Atiku’s address concentrated on the anomalies he and his legal team claimed to exist in the 2023 presidential election. He argued that there was proof of egregious anomalies, violence, and electoral manipulation. They said that INEC had broken the Electoral Act and had not maintained transparency throughout the election and collation procedures, despite having promised to employ modern technology.

The election winner, President Bola Tinubu, was accused of submitting a fake academic diploma, which was one of the major accusations. If this information had been thoroughly investigated, Atiku claimed, Tinubu would not have been able to run for president.

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Implications of the Supreme Court’s Decision

Atiku continued by outlining the Supreme Court’s ruling’s extensive ramifications. Among the issues he brought up were the deterioration of public confidence in the voting process, the promotion of identity theft, forgery, and violence as strategies for gaining power, and the possible sabotage of proof of electoral misconduct. Atiku stressed that this issue involves more than just one election; it involves Nigeria’s standing, voters’ rights, and the nation’s destiny.

A Caution and a Call to Action

Finally, Atiku issued a warning, advising both public officials and civilians to be aware of the little effects that their words and deeds have on the nation. He emphasized that the rights of Nigerians and the country’s democracy are in jeopardy and urged the younger generation to choose their path for the future. He urged for a change from the status quo and presented a strong argument for the use of technology to increase electoral openness.

In addition, Atiku offered a historical overview of the constitutional development that resulted in the 1999 Constitution. He emphasized the role played by the 1995 Constitutional Conference in conceiving of a functioning democratic society, highlighting ideas such as the rotating president and the country’s division along geopolitical blocks, both of which were sadly left out of the 1999 Constitution.

Atiku’s press conference was a passionate plea for transparency, justice, and democracy in Nigeria. It remains to be seen how the nation will respond to his warnings and whether his call for change will resonate with the people.