SUPREME COURT VERDICT: I WOULD ABIDE BY VERDICT -ATIKU

…As Supreme Court Justices May Go Underground

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Action Congress Presidential flag bearer at the April 2007 Presidential election has promised to abide by the decision of the Supreme Court in its judgment on the appeals against the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal that upheld the election of President Umaru Yar’Adua.

The Apex court is scheduled to deliver its ruling on Friday amidst speculations that most of the Justices might go underground after the ruling.

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However, Atiku in a press statement signed by his Media Consultant Mr. Garuba Shehu said that although he hope that “ the Supreme Court will not validate the fraudulent outcome of the April 2007 Presidential election and thus perpetuate injustice in Nigeria,” adding that “as Othman Dan Fodio once said a nation can endure unbelief but it cannot endure injustice .”

According to the statement: “ naturally, as stakeholders it is our desire that the apex court would redress the injustice done to us by the ruling party Peoples Democratic Party in the April 2007 Presidential election which was brazenly rigged by those who were bent on capturing power by hook or by crook. We would be most delighted if the verdict turns out in our favour because it is the right thing to do. We have devoted so much time and resources to prove our contention that the election was a sham.”

“If, however, the Supreme Court rules against us for whatever reason known to the Justices, I will have no hesitation but to abide by the verdict.”

“As a responsible and law-abiding politician, my commitment to the rule of law, peaceful quest for justice through our nation’s judicial institutions remain unshaken. Also, my commitment to the oneness of Nigeria is non-negotiable. But while reiterating my belief in the rule of law and peaceful avenues for legal redress, I am not losing sight of the repercussions of deodorizing the unprecedented fraud in the 2007 presidential election. Such a decision will deepen our sense of injustice over the electoral heist perpetuated by anti-democratic forces last year.”

“All eyes are on the Supreme Court Justices and whichever way they deliver their verdict on our appeal, will have far-reaching impact on the future of democracy in Nigeria. The hope of most Nigerians is that the judiciary has the ultimate responsibility to rescue our democracy from the throes of death. Nigerians look forward to the Judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court, to save this wobbling country from the abyss.”

“Last week, hundreds of precious lives and property worth billions of naira were destroyed in a senseless, large-scale violence in Jos as a result of perceived injustice in a local government election. The resort to self-help comes when people feel that they cannot get justice using the due process of law. I hope and pray that the Supreme Court will not validate the fraudulent outcome of the April 2007 Presidential election and thus perpetuate injustice in Nigeria, as Othman Dan Fodio once said a nation can endure unbelief but it cannot endure injustice.”