The Nigerian political landscape has been awash with reactions since the conclusion of the presidential and National Assembly elections on February 25. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted the elections, and the results were subsequently announced with the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, declared the winner of the presidential race.
However, the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has made bold claims that his party won the election. Speaking at a press conference held in Abuja on Thursday, Obi stated that he would explore all legal and peaceful means to prove his assertion. He said, “I want to make it clear that the Labour Party won the February 25 presidential election, and we will do everything within our power to ensure that this truth is recognized and upheld.”
Obi’s claims have sparked controversy across the country, with supporters of the APC and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) trading words on social media platforms. Some political analysts have also weighed in on the matter, with some questioning the credibility of INEC’s results.
It should be noted that INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, announced Tinubu as the winner of the election at the International Collation Centre in Abuja during the early hours of Wednesday. Tinubu, a former Lagos State Governor, secured 8,794,726 votes and came out tops in 12 of Nigeria’s 36 states. His closest rival, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, got 6,984,520 votes, while Obi finished the race with 6,101,533 votes.
Obi’s claims come as a surprise to many, given the margin by which Tinubu won the election.
However, the Labour Party candidate’s supporters have been quick to point out that his campaign galvanized young voters in a manner that was unprecedented, and that this could have contributed significantly to the number of votes he received.
As Nigerians continue to digest the results of the elections, it remains to be seen how Obi’s claims will play out. INEC has not responded to his assertions, and it is unclear whether there will be any legal challenge to the results.
A new Nigeria possible
Speaking at the press conference, Obi said: “Nigerians, especially the youths, believed in and worked tirelessly for a new Nigeria.
“Gratitude to the Obidients, those who believed a new Nigeria is possible and I say to them a new Nigeria is possible and we will work for that new Nigeria that is possible.
“The commitment and silence of Nigerians, even in the face of unwarranted panic attacks, is a testimony that a new Nigeria is indeed possible.
“Look at people like Lady Jennifer, who was stabbed and still went on to vote, then that gives me the courage to believe that a new Nigeria is indeed possible.
“They asked us to go the court. Remember, I’m an ‘Obedient’. So I will go to where they ask us to go.”
Peter Obi lamented that the number of voters in the 2023 election reduced sharply by 20% despite the increase in the number of registered voters and persons who collected their PVC in 2023.
“The reason for the reduction is due to manipulation and removal of votes here and there. We have chosen that we will challenge this rascality for the future of this country.
“Nigeria can’t conduct credible elections after 63 years of independence. It’s something we should all reflect on.
“We are not in an alliance. We’re discussing and in partnership with other people and any other Nigerian who feels hurt as we do,” the Labour Party presidential candidate said.
