Peter Obi expresses confidence in judiciary ahead of verdict: ‘I believe in the right judgement’

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, has expressed confidence in the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, stating that the judicial system will render the appropriate decision.

This was said by Obi in an interview on Thursday morning.

Keep in mind that the Labour Party’s candidate for president is challenging the outcome of the presidential election on February 25.

Obi stated that he had no reason to doubt the court and that Nigeria’s judiciary is among the best in the world; however, politicians are the ones who are attempting to corrupt the judiciary through “transactions.”

“They are now dealing with the lawyers, I don’t go to INEC, I’m not part of it,” he stated. Well, I think the lawyers are happy, and if they are, then I no longer trust INEC; there is now a problem between us. So assuming our legal counselors trust them I’m fine with that.”

I have faith in the judiciary. I am because I remained in court for three years despite being told it was impossible to become a governor through the court, and I was the first. Keep in mind that the court brought me back after I was impeached. 

“And I sought an interpretation by stating that “my tenure is not complete.” Individuals said it’s unimaginable on the grounds that another person had been chosen yet I transformed it. As a result, despite going through a number of courts, I have no reason to question the court.

“I think Nigeria has one of the best judicial systems in the world; however, politicians, due to our transactional nature, are trying to ensure that everywhere is corrupt, and I hope that this case can begin to reverse that trend. 

“The African people are surprised that the giant of Africa is no longer able to deliver because they are seeing what is happening globally. Even Ghana will soon hold elections, which will be conducted without the BVAS and go off without a hitch.

“I don’t go anywhere referring to how others were treated. I have confidence that they know the country is collapsing and that they must help build a better place for their children,” despite the Supreme Court’s recent controversial decisions.

Also, keep in mind that on election day, INEC was criticized for not being able to upload the presidential election results from all polling places across the country to its Results Viewing Portal.

The ruling All Progressives Congress’ Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was declared the winner of the election by INEC on March 1, 2023. 

Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party, who received 6.9 million votes, and Obi himself, who received 6.1 million votes, trailed Tinubu by about 8.8 million votes.

The Labour Party sought permission from the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal to inspect the election materials used by the commission during the February 25 polls, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, which was the primary technology utilized during the polls to enhance a free and open process. Disturbed by the results of the election and the declaration made by INEC, the Labour Party sought permission.

In the meantime, when Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the electoral body, received lawyers from the Labour Party on Monday, he reassured stakeholders in the party that the commission had nothing to hide.

In order to assist the ongoing lawsuit, the INEC chief promised to provide all requested documents.