The final report of the European Union Observer Mission on the February 25 presidential election was admitted as evidence by the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja.

The report was presented by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who are disputing the election outcome that declared President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress as the winner.

The EU report, released last week, criticized the election, highlighting systemic weaknesses and calling for legal and operational reforms to improve transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability.

The EU also expressed concerns about the diminished public trust in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) due to the conduct of the election.

The Presidency, however, accused the EU of bias and rejected any suggestion that the 2023 election was fraudulent.

At the tribunal, Atiku’s lawyer presented the EU report while cross-examining an INEC witness who admitted that not all presidential election results were uploaded onto INEC’s result viewing portal.

INEC, joined as a defendant, commenced its defense to prove the credibility of the election. The INEC witness stated that the election was free, fair, transparent, and in compliance with the law.

INEC tendered four documents in support of its case and subsequently closed its defense. The tribunal adjourned for Tinubu to present his defense.