Peter Obi: Why We’re Challenging Tribunal Verdict at the Supreme Court
On Thursday, September 6, 2023, less than 24 hours after the Presidential Election Tribunal dismissed Peter Obi’s petitions against Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has announced his intention to challenge the verdict of the Tribunal at the Supreme Court.
The Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) delivered its judgment on petitions challenging the outcome of the presidential election held on February 25, 2023, while affirming Bola Tinubu as duly elected.
In his address to news men at his residence at Onitsha, Anambra State, Obi acknowledged the PEPC’s role in upholding due process and the democratic system. However, he expressed disagreement with the court’s reasoning and conclusions. He asserted his commitment to pursuing justice and the rule of law, asserting that the responsibility now rests with the Supreme Court.
“The PEPC has rendered its judgment, but that esteemed body is not the final arbiter,” Obi stated. “I do know that judgment is not coterminous with justice. I implore Nigerians to remain focused, steadfast, and peaceful; and to abide by the rule of law and understand that this matter has not reached its logical conclusion.”
Peter Obi revealed that his legal team had already received instructions to file an appeal against the PEPC’s decision. He emphasized that his pursuit of justice is not just for himself but for the supporters of the Labour Party across Nigeria whose electoral mandate, he believes, was unjustly affected.
“The strength and value of our democracy reside in solid national institutions and our confidence in them,” Peter Obi continued. “Electoral litigations will be almost unnecessary and nonexistent if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) discharges its statutory functions creditably, transparently, and with discernible fairness.”
His decision to appeal the judgment implies that the election disputes are not yet over and the position of Nigeria’s President, who will oversee Africa’s largest economy, is still in contention.
Below is the full statement
H.E. Mr Peter Gregory Obi, Presidential Candidate of Labour Party Speaks on the 2023 Presidential Elections Petition Court (PEPC) Judgment
On 7th September 2023
At Onitsha, Nigeria
1. Yesterday, 6 September 2023, the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) finally delivered its long-awaited judgments on the Petitions challenging the outcome of the presidential election held on 25 February 2023. This judgment was delivered within the statutory time frame under the extant statutes. We acknowledge the Court’s contributions to due process and the seeming attempt to strengthen our democracy.
2. As petitioners in this case, we respect the views and rulings of the Court, but we disagree with the Court’s reasoning and conclusions in the judgment it delivered. It is my intention as a presidential candidate and the intention of the Labour Party to challenge this judgment by way of appeal immediately, as allowed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
3. The PEPC has rendered its judgment, but that esteemed body is not the final arbiter. The responsibility now falls on the Supreme Court. I do know that judgment is not coterminous with justice. I implore Nigerians to remain focused, steadfast, and peaceful; and to abide by the rule of law and understand that this matter has not reached its logical conclusion.
4. Our legal team has already received our firm instruction to file an appeal against the decision. I shall not relent in the quest for justice, not necessarily for myself but indeed for our teeming supporters all over the country whose mandate to us at the polls was regrettably truncated by INEC.
5. The strength and value of our democracy reside in solid national institutions and our confidence in them. Electoral litigations will be almost unnecessary and nonexistent if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) discharges its statutory functions creditably, transparently and with discernible fairness. When that body fails, as it did recently, thus subverting the will of Nigerian voters, the recourse to the judiciary becomes imperative, as is now the case.
6. I thank every Nigerian who has supported our cause and campaign for a New Nigeria characterized by fairness, equity, justice, the rule of law, peace, prosperity, inclusiveness, sustainable growth, and development. A New Nigeria is possible and achievable. I especially thank our legal team, the Labour Party and Obidient Family and all those who showed up daily during the court trials. God bless you all, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
