Peter Obi, the Labour Party's (LP) candidate for president, has said that he has won the just-concluded presidential election on February 25 and that he will regain the mandate.
The 2023 presidential election, according to Obi, who said on Thursday at a news conference he attended in Abuja, will go down as the most contentious in Nigerian history.
The LP candidate, who was making his first public appearance since the elections on February 25, stated that the process fell short of the bare minimum of a free and fair election and that he will therefore go to the Court to have his mandate restored.
"We won the vote. We will investigate all legal options to defend our mandate, Obi said, adding that because he has been ordered to appear in court, he will comply and will present evidence to support his election victory.
Obi argued that the upcoming election on March 11 should be treated with the same seriousness because "Nigeria cannot conduct an election 63 years after independence and it will be like this.
In addition, Obi urged LP members and sympathizers to cast their ballots for the party's candidates in all states during the upcoming March 11 governorship and state assembly elections.
"I implore you to campaign and turn out voters. Our sub-national competitions continue to draw a huge field of competitors. I can guarantee that I'll take part in it. Obi, who had earlier called for a moment of quiet to be held for those who had died during the election, appealed to God to continue to bless and guard the nation.
"After casting my vote on Saturday, I have never directly or indirectly spoken or released any statement. Don't believe what you read or see in the media. My first time speaking is now.
"For me, it is crucial to address Nigerians who will be participating in a supposedly free and fair national election on February 25 as dedicated citizens.
Yet we always give gratitude to God first in everything. Second, I wish to express my gratitude to Nigerians who took part in the election. Third, gratitude to Nigerians, especially the young people who believed in and sacrificed so much for a new Nigeria. I appreciate all of their effort. I'm grateful to all "Obedients" who think a new Nigeria can happen, and I'm here to assure you that it can.
"Datti and I are dedicated to creating a new Nigeria. I don't know how they are currently feeling, but the unwarranted attack demonstrates that a new Nigeria is conceivable. despite being attacked, Jenifer makes sure to vote.
The events of February 25, 2023, were "clearly in violation of the electoral rules and guidelines that we were assured of," according to Obi.
"It will be remembered as the most divisive election ever held in Nigeria. Let me make a call to all Nigerians to maintain their composure and modesty. I can assure you that this is just the start of a journey toward a better and more modern Nigeria.
"We want a new Nigeria that is based on truth, justice, and fairness. We'll act honorably to build leadership confidence. Leaders shouldn't behave shabbily and consciously flout the law.
"We insisted that the rule of law apply to us. We'll investigate all available legal options to reclaim our mandate. The election went our way. We'll create a nation, he declared.
Obi clarified any confusion regarding a potential alliance with any opposition party by stating that he was not doing so.
"We are meeting as parties who have been wronged; we are not in talks with other parties. How are we going to apprehend the kidnappers if we follow the same procedure we did for the election today? I am questioning the procedure on this matter, Obi continued.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the candidate for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared the winner of the presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the early hours of Wednesday. He had narrowly defeated Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who had lagged behind the LP candidate.
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