Obi Commends PEPC’s Timely Judgment but Disagrees with Ruling
Peter Gregory Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 Presidential Elections, made a public address on September 7, 2023, in Onitsha, Nigeria, addressing the recent judgment handed down by the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) on September 6, 2023.
In his address, Mr. Obi began by acknowledging the PEPC’s commitment to delivering its judgment within the stipulated timeframe. He commended the Court for its dedication to upholding due process and its significant role in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
However, Mr. Obi, along with the Labour Party, voiced their strong disagreement with the Court’s rationale and the ultimate conclusions presented in the judgment.
To rectify what they perceive as an erroneous decision, they announced their intention to initiate the legal process by promptly filing an appeal, a right granted by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Mr. Obi stressed a crucial point: the PEPC’s judgment is not the final verdict, as the ultimate authority rests with the Supreme Court.
He emphasized the distinction between judgment and justice, urging Nigerians to remain resolute, law-abiding, and peaceful, as the matter is far from reaching its ultimate resolution.
“The Labour Party’s legal team has already been instructed to initiate the appeal process”Obi reiterated his commitment to pursuing justice, not only for himself but also for the countless supporters nationwide who faced electoral challenges from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Furthermore, Mr. Obi underscored the paramount importance of robust national institutions and the trust vested in them for the well-being of a thriving democracy. He noted that electoral disputes would be unnecessary if INEC executed its duties with credibility and transparency. “When such institutions falter, the resort to the judiciary becomes inevitable, as is the case today” Obi maintained.