*Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi cries out, says party was robbed by ‘leaders it trusted’
*That February 25 presidential election may go down as most controversial in Nigeria
*Insists process through which people get to office more important than what they do thereafter
*Appeals to party faithful to remain peaceful, law abiding, conduct themselves in responsible manner
By Aaron Ossai
As controversy continues to trail the conduct of the Presidential and National Assembly elections last Saturday, February 25, the candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr. Peter Obi has alleged that the party was robbed by the “institutions and leaders we trusted.”
Addressing a world press conference in Abuja yesterday, Obi said that the Saturday elections will probably go down as one of the most controversial elections ever conducted in Nigeria, declaring that “the good and hardworking people of Nigeria have again been robbed by the institutions and leaders whom we trusted.”
He said that himself, and his vice, Datti Baba-Ahmed remain absolutely undaunted and deeply committed to the project of a New Nigeria that will be built on honesty, transparency, fairness, justice and equity.
“All of these start with the process -The process through which people are elected to office is as important (if not more important) than what they do thereafter with the office and authority.
“If we seek to be called “Your Excellency”, then the process through which we are elected should also be excellent or sufficiently credible to generate the required confidence and moral authority to govern and lead.
“As you all know, the destruction of a society can be a gradual or sudden process through acts such as deliberate refusal to obey the rule of law and via the suppression of the will of the people.
“Let me reiterate and assure my good people of Nigeria that we will follow all available legal and peaceful procedures to reclaim our mandate.
“I urge you all to continue with your campaigns and troop out on Saturday 11th March 2023 to vote massively again for Labour Party-LP (Mama, Papa and Pikin) in the Governorship and State Assembly Elections. Please do not despair at a time when we can still achieve massive victories in the forthcoming elections on the 11th March 2023”, he stated.
Speaking further, he recalled that on 25th February 2023, Nigerians trooped out en-masse to participate in what was promised and expected to be a free, fair and transparent Presidential and National Assembly elections, saying “but in all things, we are enjoined to give thanks, “first to Almighty God for the privilege of making Datti Baba-Ahmed and I, the tools to champion the cause of a New Nigeria that will fundamentally enhance the fortunes of our dear country.”
The LP candidate said that last Saturday’s elections were conducted and the results were released as ‘programmed’, making it the most controversial election ever conducted in Nigeria.
His words: ‘The election has been conducted and results announced as programmed. It is a clear deviation from the electoral rules and guidelines as we were promised and did not meet the minimum criteria of a free, transparent, credible, and fair election devoid of voter intimidation and suppression, and late commencement of voting in some specific state’.
“Let me also appreciate and thank all Nigerians that participated in our last election, especially those who believed and tirelessly worked for a New Nigeria and voted for us.
“My profound thanks go to the youths, ‘Obidients’ and support groups for your commitment and resilience for a better Nigeria. You truly showed that you can take back your country!
“We continue to pray for the repose of the souls of all Nigerians killed during the campaigns and for those that were violently attacked, we pray for their quick recovery. We reiterate our total condemnation of such attacks and continue to demand that security agencies stop further attacks and bring perpetrators to book.
“The commitment and resilience of Nigerians, even in the face of unwarranted and barbaric attacks is a testimony that a New Nigeria is Indeed Possible. The Lady, Jennifer Efidi who was stabbed but insisted on exercising her right to vote and indeed all Nigerians who voted during the election are the shining stars leading us to a New Nigeria”, he added.
