Peter Obi Vows to Appeal PEPT Verdict, LP Rejects Outcome

Former Vice President and Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi has vowed to appeal the judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, which upheld the victory of President Bola Tinubu.

The five-man panel led by Justice Haruna Tsammani delivered the judgment on Wednesday, dismissing the petition challenging the outcome of the presidential election held on February 25, 2023. The tribunal’s ruling came within the statutory timeframe specified by the extant statutes.

In response to the verdict, Peter Obi addressed the media on Thursday in Onitsha, Anambra state. He expressed respect for the court’s views and rulings but noted his disagreement with the reasoning and conclusions presented in the judgment.

“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,” Obi stated.

He emphasized that while the Presidential Election Petition Court had rendered its judgment, the responsibility now rested with the Supreme Court, the final arbiter in such matters. Obi acknowledged that judgment was not always synonymous with justice and called on Nigerians to remain focused, steadfast, and peaceful in their pursuit of justice.

Obi expressed his commitment to seeking justice not only for himself but also for the supporters of the Labour Party whose mandate was allegedly undermined by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He noted that electoral litigations could be minimized or even eliminated if INEC performed its functions transparently and fairly.

He extended his gratitude to all Nigerians who had supported his cause and campaigned for a “New Nigeria” characterized by fairness, equity, justice, the rule of law, peace, prosperity, inclusiveness, sustainable growth, and development. Obi also thanked his legal team, the Labour Party, the Obidient Family, and everyone who had shown up during the court trials.

In a separate statement issued on Wednesday, the Labour Party rejected the tribunal’s verdict. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, expressed dismay over the dismissal of the petitions by the tribunal. He argued that justice had not been served, and the judgment did not reflect the law and the will of the people.

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The Labour Party maintained that Nigerians were witnesses to the alleged electoral irregularities that occurred on February 25, 2023, and condemned the tribunal’s decision. The party pledged to continue its pursuit of justice, highlighting the importance of democracy in Nigeria.

With Obi’s decision to appeal the tribunal’s judgment, the legal battle over the 2023 presidential election is set to continue, as both sides seek to assert their claims of electoral legitimacy.