Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party has called on Nigerian judiciary to rise up to its role as the hope of common man as he challenges the outcome of 2023 presidential election in the court.

“It’s my hope the judiciary will redeem itself this time around and rise to society’s expectation as the last hope of our people,” Mr Abubakar said in a press conference on Thursday. “In the end, who wins is not as important as the credibility of our elections and electoral processes.” 

Mr Atiku berated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying the 2023 presidential election is the worst in Nigeria’s history.

A former vice president between 1999-2007, Mr Abubakar becomes the second presidential candidate to reject outcome of the election, a day after INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu declared Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress winner of 2023 presidential election. The commission also issued a Certificate of Return to Mr Tinubu same day.

Earlier on Thursday, Labour Party’s Presidential flag bearer Peter Obi had claimed he won the election, vowing to challenge Mr Tinubu’s victory in court. 

Mr Tinubu polled 8,794,726 votes to defeat PDP’s Atiku Abubakar, winning in 12 of 36 states of Nigeria. 

Mr Abubakar scored 6,984,520 votes, while Peter Obi of Labour Party came third, polling 6,101,533 votes.