Presidential Polls: I Stands With Only Judicial Option, Says Peter Obi, Rejects #EndINEC, #EndNigeria Protests
Presidential Polls: I Stands With Only Judicial Option, Says Peter Obi, Rejects #EndINEC, #EndNigeria Protests
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, in the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections has accused the opposition parties of sponsoring social media posts suggesting that a nationwide #EndINEC”, “#ENDNigeria” protest is being planned by the party supporters, known as Obidients.
Obi, who came third behind the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, who came second with the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, being declared the winner and president-elect, had criticised the process of the election and questioned its credibility.
The former Anambra State governor has vowed to challenge both the process and outcome of the poll in court, insisting that as a believer in the rule of law, he would follow all legally allowed process to reclaim his “mandate.”
Obi who took to his official Twitter handle to react to “#ENDINEC”, “#ENDNigeria” protest being allegedly planned by Obidients, maintained “I have publicly stated that in the matter of reclaiming our stolen mandate, we shall do so robustly, via the Courts and Due Process.”
He wrote: “My attention has been drawn to social media postings suggesting that a nation-wide groundswell “#ENDINEC”, “#ENDNigeria” Protest is being planned by the Obidients.
“We are aware that those postings are being orchestrated by the Opposition.
“My position is clear: Without prejudice to constitutional dictates on freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, I have publicly stated that in the matter of reclaiming our stolen mandate, we shall do so robustly, via the Courts and Due Process.”
He added, “Regardless of the misgivings many may have about our Judiciary, we must strive to build strong and resilient institutions, of which the Judiciary is one. As a firm believer in the separation of powers between the three arms of government, I am conscious that every so often, the Judiciary is called upon to vindicate itself on epochal national public-interest issues. The matter presently before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) is one such litmus test case.
“Therefore, we are committed to pursuing Due Process in an unfettered manner. That is our primary and priority option. -PO”
