In a significant turn of events, Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has firmly rejected the judgment delivered by the Presidential Elections Petition Court (PEPC) on Wednesday. The PEPC had validated the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the February 25th election, a decision that didn’t sit well with Mr. Obi.
Speaking at a news conference held at his residence in Onitsha, Anambra State on Thursday, Peter Obi expressed his disagreement with the court’s verdict.
The PEPC, comprising a five-member panel led by Haruna Tsammani, had unanimously dismissed the LP candidate’s petition challenging President Tinubu’s victory in the presidential election.
Furthermore, the court also rejected the petitions filed by the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
In his statement, Mr. Obi acknowledged that the PEPC had adhered to the legal time frames in delivering its judgment, respecting due process, and making efforts to strengthen the nation’s democracy.
However, he made it clear that he strongly disagreed with the reasoning and ultimate conclusions reached by the court.
Obi stated, “Yesterday, on September 6, 2023, the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) finally delivered its long-anticipated judgments on the Petitions challenging the outcome of the presidential election held on February 25, 2023.
This judgment was delivered within the statutory time frame under the existing laws. We acknowledge the Court’s contributions to due process and the apparent effort to strengthen our democracy.”
“As petitioners in this case, we respect the views and rulings of the Court, but we disagree with the Court’s reasoning and conclusions in the judgment it delivered.
It is my intention, as a presidential candidate, and the intention of the Labour Party to challenge this judgment by way of appeal immediately, as allowed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
He emphasized that while the PEPC had rendered its judgment, the ultimate responsibility now lies with the Supreme Court. Obi reminded everyone that judgment does not always equate to justice and urged Nigerians to remain focused, steadfast, and peaceful while abiding by the rule of law. He emphasized that the matter has not yet reached its logical conclusion.
Obi concluded, “Our legal team has already received our firm instruction to file an appeal against the decision. I shall not relent in the quest for justice, not necessarily for myself but indeed for our teeming supporters all over the country whose mandate to us at the polls was regrettably truncated by INEC.”
He also highlighted the importance of strong national institutions and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to discharge its functions credibly and transparently to prevent the need for electoral litigations.
In closing, Peter Obi extended his gratitude to all Nigerians who have supported his cause and campaign for a New Nigeria characterized by fairness, equity, justice, the rule of law, peace, prosperity, inclusiveness, sustainable growth, and development. He expressed his appreciation for the dedication of his legal team, the Labour Party, Obidient Family, and all those who stood by him throughout the court trials, ending his statement with, “God bless you all, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
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