The political rivalry between President Bola Tinubu and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 25 election, Atiku Abubakar, reached a new level of animosity as they exchanged bitter words over the Supreme Court's verdict. Atiku had contested Tinubu's victory, leading to a case that ultimately reached the Supreme Court. The apex court, however, rejected Atiku's plea, citing a violation of the mandatory time frame for such requests.
Addressing a press conference, Atiku criticized the Supreme Court's decision, calling it a 'bandit robbery' and expressing his concerns about the erosion of trust in the electoral system and democracy. He argued that the consequences of these decisions would have long-lasting effects on the nation. Furthermore, Atiku proposed significant electoral reforms, including mandatory electronic voting and a runoff system if no candidate receives over 50% of the votes.
In response, the presidency dismissed Atiku's claims and described his ambition as doomed, asserting that Nigeria was making progress under Tinubu's leadership. The presidency also criticized Atiku's pessimistic view of the country and accused him of hypocrisy, citing his alleged involvement in corruption and money laundering cases.
