In response to this statement, the PDP issued a statement on Friday through its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, where the party described Buhari’s comments as “unfortunate, reckless, unpresidential conduct, and subjudice”. The PDP also claimed that the APC rigged the election, and it was marred by the violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, the Electoral Act 2022, INEC Regulations and Guidelines, manipulation of processes, alteration of genuine results from Polling Units, and announcement of fabricated figures. The opposition party also stated that the election was won by its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and it has filed a petition with the tribunal to reclaim the mandate.
The PDP, therefore, called on the international community to impose sanctions, including visa bans and travel restrictions, on President Buhari and his family after he vacates office on May 29, 2023. This demand for sanction is in line with President Buhari’s request on February 17, 2022, in Brussels, Belgium, where he called on the European Union (EU) to impose “weighty sanctions” on those engaged in “unconstitutional change of governments” as well as those influencing the “process and outcomes of elections”.
In the statement, the PDP said, “Nigerians and the International Community are, therefore, appalled, horrified, and scandalized by the careless, unguarded, and subjudice comment by President Buhari in which he attempted to justify the rigging of the February 25, 2023, Presidential election by the APC under his watch. This statement reveals the utter disregard that General Buhari has for our Constitutional democracy, judiciary, and the will of the Nigerian people as expressed at the February 25, 2023, Presidential election.”
The party also accused President Buhari of approving the rigging of the election and undermining democracy by INEC, which refused to transmit direct results from the Polling Units to its Server/Website and announce the same, in total violation of the express provisions of Section 64 Sub-section 4 (a) (b) of the Electoral Act, 2022. The PDP stated that President Buhari, by his subjudice comments, apparently seeks to bully, blackmail, and influence the judiciary and the outcome of the petition pending before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, so as to allow his party, the APC, and its candidate to ‘grab, snatch and run’ with the people’s mandate.
“The PDP in clear terms tells President Buhari and his APC that our Party and candidate, Atiku Abubakar, clearly won the February 25, 2023 presidential election as shown by the authentic results from the majority of polling units across the country. The PDP did not lose the presidential election as claimed by President Buhari, and we are not willing to surrender the mandate freely given to our Party by the people irrespective of the threats, bullying, and manipulation by the APC-led administration.
“Nigerians believed and expected President Buhari to leave a legacy of a free, fair, and credible election based on his numerous undertakings and promises but he is leaving an ignoble, dishonourable, and disgraceful legacy of enabling and superintending over the worst election conducted in the history of democracy in Nigeria. President Buhari, history will never be kind to you!
“It is instructive to state that part of the electoral process is the adjudication by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal which is considering petitions arising from the election. President Buhari, by his subjudice statement, is clearly interfering in the electoral process ostensibly to influence the outcome and undermine the constitutionally laid down procedures for change of government.”
It also demanded “an open investigation into the roles played by President Buhari in the undermining of democracy in Nigeria in the 2019 and 2023 Presidential elections.
“President Buhari needs to be advised to be circumspect and allow the judicial process to proceed without further undue interference and bullying by him.
“The PDP appreciates Nigerians for standing firm in defending our democracy at this critical time. As a Party, we will never relent in our determination to retrieve our Presidential mandate through the Tribunal no matter the machination of the APC.”