A Nigerian court has thrown out a petition to nullify President Goodluck Jonathan's election victory in April.

Justice Kumai Akaahs said a five-judge panel unanimously decided to dismiss the petition, which he said “fails in its entirety.”

The challenge, filed by the opposition Congress for Progressive Change, sought to overturn Mr. Jonathan's win, citing voting irregularities. The CPC says it will appeal the decision.

Mr. Jonathan was declared the winner of the April 16 election, receiving about 57 percent of the ballot.

His closest rival, CPC candidate and former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, received about 31 percent.

Buhari, a Muslim, garnered wide support from Nigeria's predominantly Muslim north, where post-election rioting left at least 500 people dead.

Mr. Jonathan, a Christian, was competing for his first full term after succeeding the late president Umaru Yar'Adua, also a Muslim.