The election was the most fiercely contested since the end of military rule in 1999, with three strong candidates for the first time. Bola Tinubu won with 37% of votes cast, against 29% for Mr Abubakar and 25% for Peter Obi, who also challenged the result.

In his first comments since the panel of seven judges rejected his attempts to get what he said was new evidence submitted, Mr Abubakar was scathing in his assessment.

He said that following the ruling "there is really no hope for the country’s democracy and electoral politics".

But Mr Abubakar is not giving up. "For as long as I breathe," he said, "I will continue to struggle with other Nigerians to deepen our democracy."

Commenting last week, President Tinubu said "the court has done justice to all issues put up for consideration... without fear or favour".

"There is no doubt, with the profound judgment of today, that our electoral jurisprudence and constitutional democracy are further consolidated."