The opposition leader in Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has rejected the election results announced by the country’s electoral commission.
He has described the elections held on February 23 as a sham, signaling his intention to challenge the results in court.
On Wednesday, incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari was announced as winner of the presidential elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said Buhari secured 56 percent of votes, while Atiku managed 41 percent of the votes.
President Buhari according to INEC won by 3.9 million votes. He garnered 15.2 million to Atiku’s 11.3 million.
That Muhammadu Buhari of the APC, having satisfied the requirement of the law and scored the highest number of votes is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected. #NigeriaDecides2019Result pic.twitter.com/oz89PAz1QM
— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) February 27, 2019
But Atiku from the PDP said in a statement that there were many instances of violence and intimidation that make it difficult for him to accept the results.
Reasons for rejection
He said “With regards to the Presidential elections that took place on February 23, 2019, it is clear that there were manifest and premeditated malpractices in many states which negate the results announced.
The suppressed votes in my strongholds are so apparent and amateurish, that I am ashamed as a Nigerian that such could be allowed to happen. How can total votes in Akwa-Ibom, for instance, be 50% less than what they were in 2015?”
Consequently, I hereby reject the result of the February 23, 2019 sham election and will be challenging it in court.
— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) February 27, 2019
Atiku also disclosed in his statement that “In some areas of the country, such as, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Imo states, troops deployed for the elections turned their guns on the very citizens they were meant to protect.”
He insisted that he didn’t lose the elections adding that “If I had lost in a free and fair election, I would have called the victor within seconds of my being aware of his victory to offer not just my congratulations, but my services to help unite Nigeria by being a bridge between the North and the South.”
Atiku Abubakar who is a former vice president of Nigeria was trying to prevent Buhari from securing a second term.
Reactions to Atiku’s court challenge
On social media some Nigerians reacted to Atiku’s decision to reject the election results.
I stand with you 110%, Sir.
— SharQue (@79Sharque) February 27, 2019
I am behind you, but the chief justice Tanko nko. I foresaw this things last year. My worries are for Nigerian youths Sars and police
— Brother Black X (@Lacute3d) February 27, 2019
& please add Olusegun Obasanjo in another case the man spoil your reputation
— Aisha Bello™ (@Iamindo0) February 27, 2019
I knew this was coming even with signing of the peace accord, a true Democrat would accept the results in good faith.
— Bashir Garbati (@Basheeer_G) February 27, 2019
My dear the court is not enough, there’s no justice in the Nigerian court
— From_the_god (@From_the_god) February 27, 2019
Source: Africafeeds.com
