The Peoples Democratic Party has said it will challenge the
outcome of the March 28 presidential election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, through its
Chairman and Chief Returning Officer, Prof. Attahiru Jega, on
Wednesday morning, declared Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari
(retd.) of the All Progressives Congress as the winner of the
election.
The PDP through its agent at the National Collation Centre in
Abuja on Wednesday, when the final result was declared, had
refused to sign the result sheet despite its candidate,
President Goodluck Jonathan, having earlier conceded defeat.
The agent of the PDP, Bello Fadile, who was in attendance
when parties were being called upon to sign the result sheet,
told journalists shortly after the result was declared that the
party was not satisfied with the outcome of the election and
had decided to challenge it at the election tribunal.
“Whether I sign it (the result sheet) or I don’t sign it, does
not make any difference. It doesn’t invalidate the result. When
we go to court, then we can challenge the result,” Fadile said.
When asked to confirm if the PDP will challenge the result at
the presidential election petitions tribunal, Fadile added, “Sure!
The party petitioned. Don’t forget. So the party will follow
through the petition. There are rules for this. The law is there.
“The result was declared on the 1st of April, I think. We will
follow the due process. Like the president (Jonathan) said, ‘If
you have any grievances, follow due process and the due
process in this instance is to go to the tribunal.”