Immediate-past Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima on the ruling of the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal confirming the victory of the All Progressives Congress at the presidential election of February 25, 2023, despite widespread condemnation that followed the discredited ruling. 

In a statement personally signed by the former Vice President, he stated that “the ruling is a great victory for Nigeria’s constitutional democracy and the rule of law. 

“Congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and our great party, the All Progressives Congress, on the judicial affirmation of the victory at the Presidential election of  February 25th 2023,” Mr Osinbajo said. “This ruling is a great victory for Nigeria’s constitutional democracy and its rule of law. The practice of democracy in our nation has been further strengthened by the fact that all parties faithfully followed the electoral process according to the law and relied on our courts in the event of a dispute.”

Mr Osinbajo called on Nigerians to support the administration towards a better future. 

“Our nation now needs all of us to work together to address our challenges and to deliver the realization of the incredible potential of our country,” the former Nigerian leader said. 

Mr Tinubu’s opponents and civic groups have condemned the ruling of a five-member Appeal Court panel, led by Haruna Simon Tsamani, as riddled with blatant injustice after the judges expunged facts relevant to opposition arguments from evidence. 

The main challengers, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, have both expressed their readiness to appeal the verdict to the Supreme Court.