Former Vice President ATIKU ABUBAKAR has described the October 26, 2023 verdict of the Supreme Court affirming President BOLA TINUBU as the winner of the February 25, 2023 election as “disappointing”.

At a press briefing in the nation’s capital Abuja, ATIKU, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election, proposed a further amendment of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022 to accommodate a six-year single term for a President for each of the six geopolitical zone. 

He added that the law must mandate electronic voting and collation of results, and compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to verify the credentials of candidates, amongst others.

The PDP candidate also urged the National Assembly to amend relevant laws and ensure that litigations are concluded before the inauguration of elected persons.

ATIKU also harped on the need for the introduction of an automated case assignment system; transparency in the appointment of judges; and a practice directory that stresses that the goal of judges in election cases.

He added that when people lose confidence in the electoral process, democracy is on life support.

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 elections, ATIKU ABUBAKAR, says the rebuke of the Supreme Court by retired Justice MUHAMMAD DATTIJO should not be swept under the carpet.

Atiku called for a sweeping reform in the judiciary to correct many anomalies.

Speaking on the verdict of the apex court, ATIKU said retired Justice DATTIJO’s rebuke is a confirmation from within the apex court that all is not well with the Supreme Court.

The PDP presidential candidate also said that the apex court verdict, though final, leaves much to be desired.

He insisted that President TINUBU, the then candidate of the All Progressives Congress was not qualified to contest the February 2023 presidential poll.

He accused the Supreme Court and the Independent National Electoral Commission of supporting illegality, identity theft, impersonation, forgery of certificates and perjury.