File: Peter Obi in Jigawa during the campaign
The Vice Presidential Candidate of Labour Party, Datti Baba-Ahmed, says peace is the only language the party knows, insisting that Nigerians through Labour Party won the Presidential election.
Baba-Ahmed said this on Wednesday, while addressing newsmen in Abuja on the aftermath of the Feb. 25 presidential and National Assembly elections. He urged their supporters to remain calm, adding that through available peaceful and lawful means, he and his principal, Peter Obi, will reclaim the mandate freely given to them by Nigerians.
“We ask Nigerians to continue to exercise their civic duties in the upcoming elections. I have said that democracy belongs to the people who can practice it.
“The only language we know is peace. If Nigerians are going to achieve peace through peaceful protests, so be it. We believe more and more in Nigeria and the Nigerian people.
“Here we are, less than eight months old and we won election in a country where there is an eight-year concurrent government.
“As far as we are concerned, we won this election. They refused to upload results. They refused to refer to INEC result viewing portal just for them to defeat us, we are winners,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed said that the party’s position remained that the purported result did not meet the minimum criteria of a transparent, free and fair election.
He said that in addition, the condemnable attacks, voters intimidation and suppression challenged the elections.
“Please, be assured of our determination to fight the injustice that has been perpetuated on Nigerians through all legal and peaceful means.
“We implore you all to please remain peaceful and calm, as our fight and determination for a new Nigeria is just beginning,” he said.
He encouraged Nigerians to continue to support the party and vote massively for it in the forthcoming governorship and states House of Assembly elections on March 11.
Full text below:
Press Statement By LP Vice Presidential Candidate, Sen. Datti Baba-Ahmed
“On behalf of our Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, I address you all and indeed all Nigerians on the current situation in the country following the announcement of the purported result of the Presidential election held on Saturday February 25th 2023.
First, let me sincerely thank all Nigerians for their belief in us and for coming out en-masse to vote for the Labour Party and for the cause they believe in- The birth of a New Nigeria. We are immensely grateful to the youths, obedients and all support groups including Nigerians in diaspora for their sacrifices, conduct and commitment to a better Nigeria.
It is our position that the purported result did not meet the minimum criteria of a transparent, free and fair election. In addition to the most condemnable attacks, violence, voter intimidation and suppression, the election was conducted in clear violation of agreed and promised INEC rules and guidelines, the Electoral Act 2002 as amended, and indeed the Nigerian Constitution. As evident, the institutions of the State and leaders that were supposed to ensure the sanctity of the election, again and as in the past collaborated and colluded to subvert the will of the good people of Nigeria.
Please be assured of our determination to fight the injustice that have been perpetrated on Nigerians through all legal and peaceful means.
While painful, we implore you to please remain peaceful and calm. As our fight and determination for a New Nigeria is just beginning, we equally encourage you all to continue with the campaigns and vote massively for Labour Party in the forthcoming governorship and states house of Assembly election on Saturday 11th March 2023.
Our Principal, His Excellency Mr Peter Obi will in due course speak to you all and indeed the Nation.
Thank you all and God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
