The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has expressed confidence that the party will reclaim its victory in court after filing a suit challenging the declaration of Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress as winner of the February 23 presidential elections.
He gave the assurance on Wednesday in Abuja when he paid a thank you visit on the leaders and Elders of regional groups, the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, Middle Belt Forum and the Northern leaders and Elders Assembly at the Asokoro residence of former Federal Commissioner for Information and South South Leader, Chief Edwin Clark. He stressed that the struggle to restructure Nigeria must continue as the coexistence of the country depends on it.
“It’s my pleasure to be with you today and I want to use the opportunity to thank you for your support before, during and after the elections. As I had announced earlier, I have rejected the result of the election. As announced earlier, we have filed our petition before the tribunal or the courts because we believe this is a mandate that has been stolen from the Nigerian people. And I believe that the courts will do justice in this case.
“We still have confidence in our courts and we believe justice will be done. But the most important thing here is that between ourselves, we have been able to galvanize the people of this country to think alike and in unity.
“Of course, we have also come to realize and accept that the basis of our unity, our coexistence lies fundamentally on restructuring this country so that every part of this country can have a sense of belonging and have the opportunity to exploit their human and material resources for the development of the citizens while remaining in the same country.
“I therefore believe this struggle is a struggle that we must continue together and we will achieve it and I believe it is also achievable. I strongly commit myself to that. And Nigerians don’t have anything to fear or dread about restructuring of this country. After all, we started as a restructured federation and everybody felt at home with that arrangement.
“Of course, over the years, we all know how the military has virtually brought a unitary federation. Therefore, I want to thank you very much indeed for your support. The results we have achieved, particularly myself and the party I represent would not have been possible without your support across the country.
“Once again, I thank you very much indeed and look forward to continued relationship until our objectives are achieved.”
