At a press conference on March 2 in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, the Labour Party’s nominee for the recently finished 2023 presidential election rejected the results of the election.
Peter Obi, who claimed to have won the poll instead of Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), threatened to dispute the outcome in court.
Peter Obi finished third in the outcome announced by INEC, behind Mr. Tinubu and PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar.
Here is Peter Obi’s entire speech, which he gave just before taking questions from the press conference’s attendees.
Message to the Country By Peter Obi, Labour Party presidential candidate in Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election
Dear, Nigerians
1. On February 25, 2023, Nigerians flocked out in large numbers to vote in the presidential and national assembly elections that had been promised and expected to be free, fair, and transparent. But we are urged to express gratitude in everything.
2. I would first like to thank Almighty God for giving Datti Baba-Ahmed and I the opportunity to advocate for a New Nigeria that will significantly improve the fortunes of our beloved nation. Let me also express my gratitude to and appreciation for all Nigerians who took part in our recent election, especially those who supported us by voting and who relentlessly labored to create a New Nigeria. I sincerely appreciate the youth, “Obidients,” and support groups who are dedicated to making Nigeria a better place. You genuinely demonstrated your ability to retake your nation!
3. We continue to pray for the eternal rest of all Nigerians who lost their lives in the war, and we also pray for those who were severely attacked to recover quickly. We once again express our utmost condemnation of such attacks and maintain our demand that security agencies put an end to current attacks and hold those responsible accountable.
4. Nigerians’ dedication and fortitude in the face of unjustified and inhumane attacks is proof that a new Nigeria is really possible.
The woman, Jennifer Efidi, who was stabbed but insisted on exercising her right to vote, as well as other Nigerians who cast ballots during the election, are the bright lights pointing the way to a brand-new Nigeria!
5. The election was held and the results were announced on schedule. As we were promised a free, transparent, credible, and fair election free of voter intimidation and suppression, as well as a late start to voting in some particular states, this is a clear deviation from the electoral laws and principles.
6. This election is likely to rank among the most contentious ever held in Nigeria. Nigeria’s good and hardworking people have once again been defrauded by the organizations and authorities we had faith in.
7. Nonetheless, let me politely and humbly appeal to all Nigerians to maintain peace, uphold the law, and behave in the most responsible way possible. Please know that this is just the start of the journey to create a New Nigeria, not the end, for Datti and I or for anyone else for that matter.
8. Datti Baba-Ahmed and I are still steadfastly devoted to creating a New Nigeria that is based on integrity, openness, fairness, justice, and equity. The method by which individuals are elected to government is just as important—if not more so—than the things they do after they have the position and the authority.
9. If we want to be addressed as Your Excellency, our election procedure must be good or sufficiently credible to inspire the trust and moral authority needed to lead and rule. You are all aware that acts like purposeful disobedience of the law and the repression of popular will can lead to the gradual or abrupt downfall of a society.
10. Let me restate that we would use all legal and peaceful means at our disposal to reclaim our mandate, and I want to reassure my wonderful people of Nigeria of this.
11. I kindly request that you all continue your campaigns and turn out in force on March 11, 2023, to vote en masse once more for the Labour Party-LP (Mother, Papa, and Pikin) in the elections for governor and state assembly. Please don’t give up now, when we still have a chance to win big in the upcoming elections on March 11th, 2023.
Thank you all and God bless The Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Mr Peter Obi
Labour Party Presidential Candidate
