The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi has declared that he would challenge in a court of law the victory of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressive Congress (APC), in the presidential election held on February 25, 2023.
Obi stated this today in Abuja at a world press conference to announce that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rigged the election for Tinubu, thereby denying him his victory at the poll.
Assessing the election, he stated, “The election that we just witnessed has been conducted and the results announced as programmed. It is a clear violation of the electoral rules and guidelines as we were promised. This election did not meet the minimum standard expected of a free, transparent, credible fair election. It will go down as one of the most controversial elections ever conducted in Nigeria.”
He alleged that there were manipulations, tampering of results, reduction, removal and input of some votes, stressing that, he was challenging the wrongs, and rascality recorded during the election for the future of Nigeria.
The LP Presidential Candidate said it is a shame that 63 years after the independence of Nigeria, the nation cannot conduct a free, fair, and credible election saying, “It is something anybody should reflect on and we cannot go on like this. The unexamined life is worth not living and we cannot go on like this.”
He explained, “We were asked to go to court. Is that not what they say? So, let us go there. You remember I am obedient. I am going to go where I am directed to go. In 2015, the number of registered voters is about 67 million and 29.4 voted. In 2019, that tally increased to about 80/84 million and about 28.4 million voted. And then, we were told that about 11 million registered in 2022, which brought the registration to about 95 million but 87 million collected their PVC and only 23.3 million voted. You can see how Nigeria works. So, we are having an increase of 11 million and the votes dropped sharply by over 20 per cent instead of increasing. The reason was due to manipulation and reduction and removal and input of some votes here and there, Otherwise, the number suppose to have increased, but it did not increase. People were busy doing what is wrong. I will challenge this rascality for the future of the country. Nigeria cannot conduct an election 63 years after independence. Everybody should reflect on it and we cannot go on like this. The unexamined life is worth not living and we cannot go on like this.”
He said he was not in alliance with other political parties to fight the wrongs of the 2023 election and assured that he would not engage the international community on the election because it is a domestic affair.
He also said that he was not under any manipulation not to go to court pointing out, “I am not under pressure. Nobody can pressure me when I challenge misconduct, rascality or illegality. I am challenging a faulty process. I am challenging a wrong process. It could be anybody.”
The full text of his address:
“Again, my dear people, let me correct an impression because I’m seeing some people saying in the media that I released one news or the other. I have never, directly or indirectly, spoken or released any message since after voting on the 25th. My last comment to the media was immediately after voting on the 25th, and I’ve never done so until now. So, whatever you see in the media please disregard. It’s not coming from me directly or indirectly.
“This is my first time speaking to the media, and I thank all of you for your understanding. For me, it is a very simple thing to speak to Nigerians who on the 25th of February trooped out in masses as committed citizens to participate in what all of us have called an existential election, for a supposedly free, fair, credible presidential and national assembly election. We give thanks to God.
“For me, the number one thing is gratitude. Gratitude to God Almighty that continues to protect and bless our dear country Nigeria. Number two is gratitude. Gratitude to Nigerians that participated in the election, answering the call as true citizens in our dear country. Number three is gratitude to those of you Nigerians, especially the youth, that believed in and worked tirelessly for a new Nigeria, I thank them for their hard work. Gratitude to the Obedient, Youths, those who believe that a new Nigeria is possible, and I say to them that a new Nigeria is possible, and we will work for that new Nigeria.
“The resilience, the hard work, for a new Nigeria should not wane. Datti and I remain committed to that new Nigeria. I know how they will feel now because of how the elections have come and gone. The commitment of Nigerians, even in the face of unwarranted attacks, is a testimony that a new Nigeria is indeed possible. I look at people like Lady Jennifer who was stabbed but insisted on voting, and that gives me the courage to believe that a new Nigeria is indeed possible –and there are so many other Nigerians.
“The election that we just witnessed has been conducted and results announced as programmed. It is a clear violation of the electoral rules and guidelines as we were promised. This election did not meet the minimum standard expected of a free, transparent, credible fair election. It will go down as one of the most controversial elections ever conducted in Nigeria.
“The good and hardworking people of Nigeria have again been robbed by our supposed leaders whom they trusted. However, very humbly, I must appeal to all Nigerians to remain peaceful, and law-abiding, and conduct themselves most responsibly. Please be assured that Datti and I, and indeed all of us, this is not the end but the beginning of the journey for the birth of a new Nigeria. Datti Baba-Ahmed and I remain undaunted and committed to the project of a new Nigeria that will be built on honesty, transparency, fairness, justice, and equity.
“All the above starts with a process. The process through which people come into the office is far more fundamental, and more important than what they do thereafter. I believe that if you must answer “His Excellency”, the process through which you arrive at the office must be excellent.
“We must now require that we do the right things. It has to generate confidence and moral authority to lead. As you know, the destruction of a society begins and gradually progresses when we act rascally, with the deliberate manipulation of the rule of law and the suppression of the will of the people. During my campaign, we have been saying that we will govern by the rule of law because we know what not doing that will bring about.
“I assure the good people of Nigeria that we will explore all legal and peaceful options to recall our mandate.
“We won the election, and we will prove it to Nigerians.
“Please, do not despair. We have elections coming up on the 11th. I enjoin you to go out. Campaign. Come out and vote in that election. We still have so much massive support out there that we need for our subnational and state assemblies. Please, come out and be part of that election. I assure you that I will be part of it. I assure you that I am committed to a better future in this country, and nothing will stop that. Datti’s commitment, my commitment, is total.
“Be rest assured that your support will not be in vain and you will not find us wanting. We must build a better Nigeria where Nigerian youth will be happy, and glad to call their own country.
“Thank you and may God Almighty continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
