The Odogwu of Anioma in Benin Republic, Ogbueshi Sualeze Eluaka has congratulated the Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory at the Supreme Court on Thursday.
The felicitation by Odogwu Anioma who is equally the Dike Igbo in Benin Republic was contained in a statement he personally signed and released to the press.
“It would be recalled that the Nigeria’s Supreme Court on Thursday upheld President Bola Tinubu’s election win, bringing to an end to a legal challenge brought by his two main rivals, who argued that his victory was marred by irregularities.
“The ruling will give 71-year-old Tinubu a clear mandate to govern Africa’s most populous nation, which is grappling with double-digit inflation, foreign currency shortages, a weakening naira, widespread insecurity and crude oil theft.
“The former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Ex Governor Peter Obi of the Labour Party came second and third respectively in the February vote, but rejected the result and called for Tinubu’s win to be annulled.
“The two opposition leaders had appealed a Sept. 6 tribunal judgment that endorsed Tinubu’s victory.
“In the appeal, they argued that the electoral commission failed to electronically transmit results from polling stations to an online portal, which undermined their authenticity.
“They also said Tinubu had won less than 25% of the vote in the federal capital Abuja so he did not meet the legal threshold to become president.
“The judges dismissed all their arguments for lack of merit”.
Chief Sualeze Eluaka said that the verdict of the apex court was a welcomed development, adding that the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal, which upheld Tinubu’s election earlier, ought not to have entertained the petition in the first place as it lacked merit.
He commended the apex court for acting well on the matter, and commended the seven-man panel of the Supreme Court for upholding the ruling of the tribunal.
According to Chief Eluaka who is the candidate of the APC in the state house of assembly election for Oshimili South, said the judgement of the apex court on the matter is a victory for the nation’s democracy and a reaffirmation of the powers of INEC to act as an unbiased umpire.
“I welcome the judgement of the Supreme Court sitting in Abuja on the Presidential Election Petition with immense joy and appreciation to the judiciary for doing justice on the matter.
“This ruling has once again reaffirmed the powers of INEC to act as an unbiased umpire, and for the judges who did a thorough job especially in respect of our electoral processes concerning the position of the Federal capital territory [FCT].
“I must commend the courage and sagacity exhibited by the seven-man panel of the court which ruled that the president’s opponents failed woefully in their various petitions against the president.
“On behalf of my family and my numerous supporters in Oshimili South, I congratulate Mr President on this victory.
“The case was a needless distraction as the tribunal and the apex court have both lay to rest the issues concerning the validity of the election of President Bola Tinubu in the Feb 2023 presidential election in the country.
“This victory is for all Nigerians, and I urge the PDP and the Labour Parties to sheathe their swords and join hands with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to work for the interest of the people of Nigeria,” he said.
Ogbueshi Sualeze Eluaka while congratulating Nigerians for the peaceful atmosphere witnessed in the course of the judiciary process, advised President Tinubu to take steps to tackle issues confronting the nation, particularly in the area of security and economic meltdown as well as to mend fences.
“Mr President, now that the court process is over, it is now time to work and tackle issues confronting the nation, especially in the area of security and the economy so as to convince Nigerians of your ability and capacity to do the needful for the overall growth of all sectors of the economy.
“It is also time to unite our great party, time to renew old bonds with true friends and political associates and to make amends as well as to rebuild the hopes of Nigerians who are eager looking forward to your good administration thrusts.” The Odogwu added.