President Bola Tinubu’s victory at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) yesterday elicited a myriad of reactions from members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and support groups.

While some said that the judgment was a welcome development and an excellent step to actualising the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Others said it would strengthen democracy in the country.

Among the prominent APC leaders were Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos); Yahaya Bello, and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.

Pro-Tinubu and APC support groups that mobilised near the headquarters of the court ahead of the judgment, called on the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party(LP), Peter Obi, to join Tinubu in the task of developing Nigeria.

Sanwo–Olu and the APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi in their separate reactions, said the judgment would promote governance in the country.

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, said Nigerians had spoken through the ballots and that the court had validated their decision.

Sanwo-Olu congratulated President Tinubu, saying that APC members across Nigeria and the President worked hard for the victory enjoyed at the February 25 presidential election.

The governor said: “What we are witnessing today is the beauty of democracy and the rule of law. We ordinarily thought the losers should have displayed the good spirit of sportsmanship by congratulating President Tinubu, but they chose to contest the results, which is within their rights. Now that election and the results have been upheld by the Court. I hope they will do the needful.

“I congratulate the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, on his well-deserved victory at the Presidential Election Tribunal Court.

“I also congratulate the leadership and members of our great party, the All Progressives Congress, and all Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora on this very landmark judicial victory.”

Sanwo-Olu also enjoined Nigerians across party divide to team up with President Tinubu to deliver the real dividends of democracy to Nigerians through the Renewed Hope Agenda, saying ‘today’s judicial verdict is a victory for democracy and the rule of law.’

It’s a resounding victory, says Abiodun

Governor Abiodun described the verdict as resounding victory for Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The Ogun helmsman said the unanimous decision of the tribunal has confirmed the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Mr. Peter Obi at the February 25 presidential poll

According to Abiodun, the tribunal’s verdict was an affirmation of the trust reposed in the President by Nigerians as evidenced in the outcome of the presidential election.

He described the judgment as sound, detailed and comprehensive, noting that the judges displayed unmatched courage in the discharge of their duties.

He said: “It is heart-warming that the tribunal judges did not succumb to intimidation by the opposition, who deployed various antics to sway the judgement in their favour.

“The judgement is a further testament to the fact that the judiciary is the last hope of our people.”

Bello : victory is affirmation of peoples will

Kogi State Governor Bello also congratulated the President and Vice President Kashim Shettima on their victory.

Bello said the triumph at the tribunal stands as a testament to the resilience of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and reaffirms that our courts remain the hope of the common man.

He added that the judgment was a significant milestone, as it upholds the will of the people, as clearly demonstrated during the elections on February . It underscores the importance of fair and transparent electoral processes in our great nation.

Ojelabi: we are satisfied

The mood was exciting at the Lagos APC Secretariat in Ikeja where the party members and faithful watched the proceedings live.

At intervals, they would clap and sing after certain parts of the judgment were read out.

Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, described the judgment as satisfactory.

He said: “We are glad and happy with the result. We are satisfied with the judgment. APC is not surprised because we diligently worked for this victory. President Bola Tinubu particularly worked hard in telling the people his intentions and plans for them when he became president. It also shows that integrity matters. The integrity of Asiwaju gave APC the edge in this matter, and we will keep at it.

“Labour Party’s rejection of the judgment is expected because of their expectations. But the judgment has proven that Nigerians really voted for the APC.”

Ojelabi also thanked party members and faithful for staying true to the party and urged them to continue to be steadfast. He assured them rewards will come sooner than expected.”

Verdict reaffirms choice of Tinubu, says Jibrin

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin also hailed the judgment affirming the victory of President Tinubu at the poll.

Barau, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, said the judgement has reaffirmed the choice of Nigerians.

While urging all to accept the outcome of the tribunal, he said Nigerians, irrespective of party differences, should team up with the administration to address the challenges facing the country.

Barau added: ‘’ The judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal on the presidential poll has reaffirmed the choice of the electorate who trooped out on February 25, 2023, to vote for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the president of our beloved country.

“Now, it is time for all to team up with the President to turn around the fortunes of the country positively for the benefit of all.”

The Deputy Senate President reiterated the commitment of the parliament to come up with legislation to support the initiatives of the Executive in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.

He stressed: ‘’ On our part, as assured by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, we will come up with necessary legislation to support the executive to address the challenges facing our nation. This will be pursued vigorously for the benefit of all.”