"WE ARE NOT GOING TO CHALLENGE BUHARI’S VICTORY IN COURT" - JONATHAN TELLS PDP

President Goodluck Jonathan is believed to have stopped the Peoples Democratic Party from contesting the outcome of the
presidential election won by Muhammadu Buhari.

It was previously reported that the PDP vowed to challenge the results of the polls in court according to the legal procedure. Interestingly, the claim came after Jonathan had personally congratulated the All Progressives Congress politician on the victory.

The Nation reports with reference to its sources that instead of planning a case for the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal, the presidency will raise a Transition Committee on Tuesday.

Yemi Osinbajo is likely to head the APC team which will join the committee ahead of the May 29 transition.

It was disclosed that although some PDP chieftains wanted to contest Buhari’s victory due to the irregularities reported during the voting, Jonathan did not support the move.

President Jonathan, who has been highly praised by Nigerian and world leaders for conceding defeat, said going to the tribunal made no sense.

Jonathan reportedly stood his ground saying that he would rather stand by his statesmanship attitude than go to the tribunal.

A source, who pleaded for anonymity, disclosed:

“The President has prevailed on PDP to drop plans to go to tribunal against Buhari. He said he wants his word to be his bond, having been applauded by the international community.

“At a point, Jonathan said ‘I don’t believe in post-election petition at tribunal because it distracts the incoming administration’.

“He also said Nigeria must emulate other nations where once the presidential poll is lost and won, the new government must not be distracted with election petitions.

“He told party leaders that he was not interested in going to the tribunal. It is now left for PDP leaders to heed his advice.

“So as at Thursday, the government’s position is that the PDP should not go to tribunal.”

Adamu Mu’azu, the PDP national chairman, said yesterday that they had received “reports of serious irregularities “. However, he also congratulated Buhari on behalf of the party, without saying that they would go to the tribunal to challenge the results.

Another source said that the transition process has already commenced:

“The Presidency is working on a seamless transition from Jonathan’s administration to Buhari’s. The details are being worked out.

“I think by next week, the picture of the transition committee will emerge. The government is working early on the transition because it involves a lot of work.

“The APC team will have to collaborate with the committee and ask questions if there are grey areas.”

Many commended both Jonathan and Buhari for demonstrating a high level of political maturity. Jonathan sent a congratulatory message to the president-elect, wishing him success in leading Nigeria. Buhari, on his part, extended a hand of peace to Jonathan characterizing him as a “great Nigerian”.

These polls have been rightfully tagged historic.