Nigeria’s Appeal Court has rejected challenges to Bola Tinubu’s narrow victory in February’s presidential election.

After an almost 10-hour verdict, judges said the petitions by his two main challengers were without merit.

Both Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Peter Obi of the Labour Party had alleged widespread fraud.

Despite the election challenge, Mr Tinubu was sworn into office on 29 May.

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

A presidential spokesman said President Tinubu welcomed the judgment “with an intense sense of solemn responsibility and preparedness to serve all Nigerians.”

“[It] reflects the continuing maturation of Nigeria’s legal system, and the advancement of Africa’s largest democracy at a time when our democratic system of government is under test in other parts of the continent,” Ajuri Ngelale said in a statement.

The country was tense before Wednesday’s ruling, with increased security in the capital, Abuja.

Despite warnings from authorities against demonstrations, various political groups gathered outside the courthouse, singing and dancing.

The ruling on the same day he marked 100 days in office will be a huge relief to President Tinubu who will now keep an eye on the Supreme Court where his opponents are likely to appeal against this judgment.

The Labour Party has rejected the ruling.