The All Progressives Congress (APC) has demanded that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) issue an unequivocal apology to the judiciary and judges for its unfounded and unwarranted attacks throughout the electoral process, in the wake of yesterday’s Supreme Court rulings on several governorship election petitions.
APC’s call for an apology was prompted by the Supreme Court’s verdict on election petitions relating to governorship contests in Lagos, Kano, Zamfara, Plateau, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Abia, and Cross River states.
Felix Morka, the spokesperson for APC, emphasised the need for the PDP to publicly acknowledge its errors, stating, “If it retains even a shred of decency, the PDP must extend an unreserved apology to the judiciary and the judges for its baseless, irresponsible, reckless, and unjustified attacks on the judiciary during the electoral cycle.”
Morka also underscored APC’s acceptance of the Supreme Court’s decisions regarding the 2023 governorship elections in eight states. The court upheld the victories of APC’s governorship candidates in Lagos, Ebonyi, and Cross River states. However, it ruled in favour of other political parties and their candidates in Kano, Zamfara, Bauchi, Plateau, and Abia states.
While acknowledging that the Supreme Court’s verdicts would evoke mixed reactions and assessments, Morka affirmed the decisions’ finality and binding nature for all parties involved in the legal disputes. He also stressed the significance of these rulings in affirming the judiciary’s authority, vitality, and independence.
APC further reiterated its consistent stance that the judiciary should be allowed to perform its vital role in resolving disputes, including electoral disputes, as mandated by the constitution. The party urged political opposition figures to reflect on their past criticisms and condemnations of the courts when decisions went against them in similar cases.
In conclusion, APC extended congratulations to the victors in these governorship contests, particularly governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, and Bassey Otu of Cross River State. The party urged everyone to maintain calm and uphold peace in the wake of these judgments.
