Presidential candidate Peter Obi, representing the Labour Party, has expressed his determination not to back down in his pursuit of justice. He made this commitment during a press conference in Onitsha, Anambra state, in response to the recent verdict of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, which upheld President Bola Tinubu’s victory. Obi acknowledged the court’s role in due process and democracy but disagreed with its reasoning and conclusions.
Obi highlighted that as the petitioner, he and the Labour Party intended to challenge the judgment through an immediate appeal, in accordance with Nigeria’s Constitution. He emphasized that while the tribunal had delivered its judgment, the ultimate authority rested with the Supreme Court, stressing that judgment doesn’t always align with justice. He called on Nigerians to remain focused, law-abiding, and peaceful, emphasizing that the matter had not reached its final resolution.
He credited the strength of Nigeria’s democracy to robust national institutions and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to discharge its duties with transparency and fairness to minimize the need for electoral litigation.
Obi expressed gratitude to his supporters and legal team and thanked those who had stood by him during the court trials. He concluded by emphasizing the possibility of a “New Nigeria” characterized by fairness, equity, justice, the rule of law, peace, prosperity, inclusiveness, sustainable growth, and development.
The Labour Party had earlier rejected the tribunal’s verdict, with the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, asserting that justice had not been served, and the judgment did not align with the law and the people’s desires. He referred to the February 25, 2023, elections as a case of electoral robbery and affirmed the party’s unwavering commitment to democracy and justice in Nigeria.
