afrol News, 26 February - The losing Nigerian opposition presidential candidates - Muhammadu Buhari and Atiku Abubakar - have had their election petitions unanimously dismissed by a panel of five judges on the grounds that they lack ample evidence.

Both candidates have challenged the validity of last year's polls results in Nigeria, calling for a re-run.

The ruling has dealt a big blow to the opposition who had earlier called their supporters to remain calm throughout, fearing the eruption of a Kenyan-style unrest in the country.

Lawyers of both opposition figures said they would file an appeal at the Supreme Court.

"Umaru Yar'Adua and Goodluck Jonathan remain validly elected as President and Vice President of Nigeria," Justice Abdulkadir Abubakar Jega told the crowded court in the capital Abuja. He ruled that neither Buhari, nor Abubakar has proven that violations of the electoral law warranted the invalidation of election results.

Buhari, a former Nigerian military ruler, claimed that there was no election in 29 of the country's 36 states.

But Abubakar has asked the courts to nullify the entire results, arguing the ballot papers were delivered on the very day of election and were without serial numbers.

His lawyers said lack of serial numbers and late delivery of ballot papers in many parts of the country until after the poll are clear indications that President Yar'Adua's election is invalid.

The court had earlier annulled the election of Senate President, David Mark and seven other Governors.

President Yar'Aduah, whose election to power was questioned by international monitors, would be forced to step down within 90 days so that fresh elections take place if the court ruled against his favour.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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