Nigeria's top court has dismissed an appeal by main opposition candidate Atiku Abubakar to overturn the result of February's presidential vote in which President Muhammadu Buhari won re-election.
On Wednesday following the Supreme Court's judgement Chief Justice Tanko Muhammad said they have examined all the briefs and the exhibits for over two weeks and agreed that there is no merit in the appeal.
"The appeal is dismissed," he concluded.
The chief justice did not give reasons for the judgement but said they would be released at a later date.
February election
The judgement brought an end to a bitter eight-month legal battle since February's polls when Buhari, 76, won a second term with 56 percent of the vote.
The delayed vote was marked by low turnout and saw violence across the country, with accusations of vote-rigging by both sides.
Abubakar, the 72-year-old former vice president of the main opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP), came in second with 41 percent, and immediately branded the result a "sham".
Opposition parties lodged a legal challenge against the result, which was rejected by an election tribunal in September.
The PDP described the ruling as "provocative, barefaced subversion of justice", launching an appeal in Nigeria's Supreme Court.
Abubakar said he had been cheated of the chance to lead Africa's most populous nation after a conspiracy between the electoral commission and Buhari's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
European Union and local observers spoke of "serious problems" in the polls, which was hit by violence including 53 deaths.
Some reported vote-buying, intimidation and violence towards voters and officials, which have been a problem in previous elections in Nigeria.
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