PDP urges Presidential Election Tribunal to ignore threats and deliver justice.

The legal team representing President Bola Tinubu and his deputy, led by Wole Olanipekun (SAN), argued in their final written address against the petition of Peter Obi and the Labour Party that Tinubu, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, obtained 25% of the valid votes in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). They asserted that any other interpretation would result in chaos and anarchy in the country.

In response, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expressed their disagreement with the APC's statement, viewing it as an attempt to manipulate the court and undermine the independence of the judiciary in fulfilling its obligations in accordance with the law. The PDP described the APC's address as a challenge to democratic order and a threat to the nation's existence.

The PDP highlighted that the APC's lawyers, through their written address, made threats of crisis and anarchy if the court ruled that their clients did not meet the constitutional requirement of obtaining 25% of the votes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The PDP considered these threats subversive and aimed at intimidating and harassing the judiciary, as well as Nigerians.

The PDP accused the APC of attempting to blackmail the court and undermine the judiciary's independence to carry out its duties as mandated by the law. They suggested that this action was intended to set the stage for orchestrated violent crises in different parts of the country as a means to further pressure the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC).

However, the PDP stressed that Nigeria is a country governed by the rule of law and that the statutory requirements for declaring a winner in a presidential election are clearly outlined in the constitution and the Electoral Act. The party urged the APC to respect the provisions of the law and allow the judiciary to carry out its duties independently, without threats, intimidation, or coercion.

The PDP emphasized that upholding the constitutional provisions and laws would promote peace, stability, and confidence in the judiciary, as well as deepen democracy in the country. They called on Nigerians to remain calm, vigilant, and hopeful in the judiciary's ability to deliver justice appropriately.