The Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on his victory at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, which on Wednesday upheld his February 25 election.
Oyebanji described the judgment as “solid and detailed” and “a judicial sustenance of the mandate given to the clear winner of the presidential poll.”
The governor, in a Thursday statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, hailed the judiciary for upholding the truth, stressing that “the judicial affirmation of President Tinubu’s election has confirmed the choice of the majority of Nigerians who elected the All Progressives Congress’s presidential candidate as president of the country.
Oyebanji said, “I congratulate our President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and indeed all Nigerians for this judgment. It is not a victory for the APC alone; it is a victory for democracy, the rule of law, and the Nigerian masses. It is also a vote of confidence in the process that led to the election of Mr President.
“The judgment is solid and well-detailed. There is nothing to add. I congratulate Nigerians and the President, His Excellency, Bola Tinubu. We have a President who is committed to the development of this country, and he needs all hands on deck to ensure that we get to the Promised Land.”
The National Leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere, Reuben Fasoranti also congratulated Tinubu on his victory at the PEPT.
In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the Afenifere, Jare Ajayi, on Thursday, the Afenifere leader stated that the pains occasioned by the withdrawal of fuel subsidy should be soothed as quickly as possible so that “Nigeria can begin to enjoy life more abundantly and with the good welfare that they deserve.”
According to the statement, the nonagenarian commended all the parties involved in the petitions, stating that their choice of going to court was part of the process of deepening democracy in Nigeria.
Fasoranti, who lauded the judiciary and all those involved in the judicial processes for the peaceful manner in which the matter was handled, charged all concerned to now brace up for proper governance “so that Nigerians would quickly put the present hardship behind them and begin to experience improved standards in their welfare while the country itself begins a fast-paced journey towards becoming a developed nation.”
“Restructuring and proper federalism of the country should form important aspects of the rejigging to be effected,” the statement added.
Also, the immediate-past Special Assistant to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari on NGOs, Office of the wife of the President, Wole Aboderin, on Thursday, congratulated Tinubu and his deputy, Kashim Shettima, on their “well-deserved victory at the presidential elections tribunal.”
Aboderin, a two-time presidential campaign youth director and member of Tinubu/Shettima security/intelligence and diaspora committees 2023, also expressed his gratitude to the Nigerian youth for their active participation and encouragement during the election process, commending their vital role in shopping the democratic landscape and ensuring the credibility of the electoral system.
“I also congratulate our great party, the All Progressives Congress, on its vindication by this well-thought-out landmark judgment.
“Coincidentally, this verdict is coming as the President marks his remarkable 100 days in office. I wish President Tinubu and Shettima well in the onerous task of building a more prosperous and inclusive Nigeria,” Aboderin said.
A member of the APC National Working Committee, Tolu Bankole, also hailed the judgment in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday titled “PEPC verdict: Victory for Nigeria and Democracy.”
Bankole appealed to Atiku, Obi, and members of the Allied Peoples Movement to ‘prioritise patriotism’ in place of self-interest.
Bankole said, “I join all the good people of this country to congratulate President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima on your victory at the 2023 Presidential Elections Petitions Court. I extend my courtesy to all the Lord Justices of the Presidential Election Petitions Court for exhibiting uncommon courage in the face of extreme cyberstalking, harassment, and threats orchestrated by the enemies of democracy to bully the judiciary. Their rising above board, incorruptibility, and insistence on the rule of law must be applauded. I must also thank, most profoundly, the media and civil society groups for their unbiased interrogation and reportage of the whole process.
“Today’s judgement is equally a commendation for the Independent National Electoral Commission’s credible and nonpartisan conduct of the presidential poll under the most challenging circumstances.
“I urge the losers to prioritise patriotism above playing to the gallery. This is the time when all hands must be on deck to surmount the challenges currently facing the country. There should be no difficulty for them to join hands with the renewed hope of the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu if their focus is indeed service to the people.
“This victory offers Mr President a rare chance given freely by the people to tackle headlong myriads of socioeconomic challenges confronting the country and deliver the renewed hope promised to Nigerians without distractions.”
