The presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and the Labour Party, Peter Obi, have both refused to concede defeat in the February 25 presidential election. They have vowed to recover their mandates through legal means. This stance comes in response to the conciliatory gesture made by the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, who, after being declared the winner of the election, urged them to support him in the task of nation-building. Atiku and Obi expressed their views during separate news conferences held in Abuja on Thursday.
In the early hours of Wednesday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced Tinubu as the President-elect after he garnered 8,794,726 votes, defeating Atiku, who received 6,984,520 votes, and Obi, who polled 6,101 votes. Breaking his silence a day after the announcement, an emotional Obi asserted that he won the election and was prepared to prove it in court. He described the election, which resulted in Tinubu’s victory, as controversial and manipulated to deliver predetermined results. Obi emphasized that the election did not meet the necessary standards for credibility, claiming that Nigerians were robbed of their true choice. He stated, “The election that we just witnessed had been conducted and the results announced as programmed. It is a clear deviation from electoral rules and guidelines contrary to what we were promised.”
Obi further insisted that he would explore all legal and peaceful options to reclaim his mandate, asserting, “We won the election, and I will prove it to Nigerians.” He highlighted the importance of a transparent electoral process, stating that the manner in which individuals attain office is fundamental to governance. He expressed his commitment to challenging the electoral process, stating, “I will challenge this rascality for the future of the country.” When asked about pressure, he maintained that no one could intimidate him regarding his pursuit of justice.
In response to Obi’s claims, Bayo Onanuga, the Director of Media and Publicity for the APC presidential campaign council, stated that the president-elect was willing to engage with Obi if he could provide concrete evidence of his victory. Onanuga described Obi’s allegations of fraud as “very weird,” given that he finished third in the election. He acknowledged Obi’s right to seek redress in court but emphasized that the election was one of the most transparent and peaceful in Nigeria’s history. He pointed out that the Labour Party’s success in securing over six million votes contradicted pre-election forecasts, further attesting to the credibility of the electoral process.
Onanuga also noted that the Labour Party’s victories in states traditionally dominated by the APC or PDP demonstrated the effectiveness of the electoral process. He challenged Obi to explain how his party won a significant percentage of votes in the South-East while other parties received minimal support. He warned that Obi would need to provide evidence of rigging in over 40,000 polling units, particularly in regions where his party lacked agents and did not sign result sheets as required by law.
Atiku Abubakar, during a press conference, accused the electoral commission of undermining the dreams and aspirations of Nigerians through its poor conduct of the elections. He asserted that the processes and outcomes of the presidential and national elections were grossly flawed and must be challenged. Atiku expressed disappointment that INEC failed to meet the expectations of both local and international observers, labeling the election process as a “rape of democracy.” He emphasized that the election was not just about him but about the future of Nigerian youth, urging them to conduct themselves appropriately.
The PDP, through its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, declared that Atiku won the election and announced that the party had initiated legal action to reclaim its victory. When asked about collaborating with Obi, Atiku expressed openness to dialogue, stating, “Peter is welcome to dialogue with the PDP.” He acknowledged that Obi’s candidacy affected his performance in the election, as Obi took votes from the PDP in the South-East and South-South regions. However, he argued that Obi did not secure enough votes to win the presidency.
Atiku revealed that Obi left the PDP out of fear of the party’s governors, who insisted that one of them must produce the presidential candidate. He noted, “You negotiate for power; you don’t fight for it.” When questioned about any outreach from Tinubu, Atiku stated he was unaware of any reconciliatory efforts by the president-elect.
In response to Atiku’s comments, Festus Keyamo, the Chief Spokesman for the APC PCC, dismissed Atiku’s claims, asserting that his presidential aspirations had been doomed since the fracturing of the PDP into three factions. Keyamo criticized Atiku for running a campaign that violated the zoning principles of his party and for failing to unite the party’s leadership. He described Atiku’s claims of victory as the “last kick of a dying horse,” emphasizing that the former vice president’s repeated failures in elections demonstrated his unelectability.
The APC PCC welcomed Atiku’s decision to challenge the election results, stating they were prepared to meet any legal challenges. Keyamo suggested that if Atiku was not willing to accept the olive branch extended by Tinubu, he should consider relocating to Dubai, referencing Atiku’s frequent travels to the city.
Meanwhile, the Spokesman for the New Nigeria Peoples Party Campaign Council, Ladipo Johnson, indicated that the party was reviewing various issues arising from the election and would announce its position in due course. He urged Obi to substantiate his claims of victory at an election petition tribunal, emphasizing that mere assertions were insufficient.
On Thursday, President-elect Tinubu pledged to begin his administration with a commitment to deliver on his campaign promises. He assured that his government would be fair and inclusive, aiming to unite all Nigerians. During a meeting with members of the National Working Committee of the APC, Tinubu emphasized the importance of hard work and transparency in governance. He expressed gratitude to the party leadership for their dedication in securing victory despite challenges.
Tinubu acknowledged the difficulties of electioneering in Nigeria but reiterated his commitment to uniting the country and serving as president for all citizens. He expressed a sense of responsibility following the receipt of his certificate of return from INEC and committed to fostering a government that reflects the will of the people.
In a separate statement, APC National Chairman Senator Adamu criticized the actions of the PDP and Labour Party representatives who walked out of the collation center during the announcement of the election results. He described their behavior as childish and a calculated attempt to undermine the electoral process. Adamu urged the opposition to accept the results in good faith and reminded them that the laws of the country provide channels for addressing electoral grievances. He condemned their attempts to incite chaos and emphasized that power belongs to the people, who must be allowed to exercise their choices freely.
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