Obi counsels Nigerians, don’t lose hope country can be rescued despite obstacles
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi has reminded Nigerians of the need to take back their country from looters because only they, the citizens, can save Nigeria.
Obi bared his thoughts at the weekend, ahead of the inauguration today of Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s 16th President amid a court fight over his declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the election on February 25.
Both Obi and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar are challenging Tinubu’s victory at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) seeking to overturn his election on several grounds, including the allegation that Tinubu
- Did not score the majority of lawful votes cast, as defined in the Electoral Act.
- Did not get 25 per cent of the votes cast in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) specified in the Constitution.
- Committed perjury by swearing on oath that he owns a degree certificate from Chicago State University, which belongs to a – as shown in her gender (F), date of birth (29 March 1954), and secondary school (Government College, Lagos) in the form she filled, all of which contradict Tinubu’s own biodata.
“I have consistently called on Nigerians to take back their country because only Nigerians can save Nigeria.
“This is the only nation that we have, and it is ours to build and develop,” Obi wrote on his Twitter handle, per reporting by Tribune
“When I rejected the dual citizenship of other countries years back, I was conscious that Nigeria as the only country that I have will need my full attention and commitment in the years to come.”
__________________________________________________________________
Related articles:
Court gives Obi 19 days to make his case against Tinubu
Ariwoola tells Judges to deliver justice, restore confidence in judiciary amid election petitions
Onaiyekan says Nigerians waiting for court to finish INEC’s ‘halfway’ job
__________________________________________________________________
Obi won’t attend Tinubu’s inauguration
Obi, says it will be “extremely weird” for him to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Tinubu today, according to The PUNCH.
However, he clarified through his Media Aide Tai Obasi that he is not planning a demonstration against the inauguration, quashing speculation his Obidient Movement would stage a protest close to Eagle Square in Abuja.
“I don’t know where that report is coming from. We don’t know anything about it or who are behind the proposed protest. But I can categorically tell you that my principal is not aware of anything,” Obasi said.
“He is Obi and his followers are Obidient. I agree that on some occasion, they may act on their own, no matter how you tell them to keep calm.
“These guys are angry. They are not happy about how everything [in the election] was manipulated against Obi who has given them so much hope. They followed him and waited for him all the way.”
Obasi also denied speculation Obi may attend Tinubu’s inauguration following reports that political parties and their presidential candidates were sent individual invitation.
“My principal is a very humble and reasonable man who is always looking for peace and unity of the country at all costs. But it will be extremely weird for him to attend a ceremony of a man whose election victory he is challenging in court.
“My principal cannot act that weird and unreasonable. I can’t confirm if he receives an invitation to the swearing-in ceremony. But I am telling you that you can’t see him there.”