Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the last presidential election, has called on the judiciary to utilise the election cases before them to re-establish their independence. Obi, who is a former Anambra State governor, urged for change through legal and acceptable means.
Obi made this call on Monday, just hours before the inauguration of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu. The February 25, 2023 presidential poll gave Tinubu the victory as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, defeating Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Dissatisfied with the election results, Obi and Atiku approached the court to reclaim their “mandate” citing that the election was marred with irregularities and that they both won the poll. Obi took to his verified Twitter handle to reveal that “it had become imperative for Nigerians and his supporters to review our missed opportunities and disappointments” and implored for the judiciary to prove their independence to Nigerians.
Obi also called for a moment of reflection as a people, re-evaluating our aspirations, recalibrating our expectations and pinning down the causes of our disappointments and missed opportunities. He challenged Nigerians and his supporters to renew their commitment to the Nigerian ideal, reminding them that “Nigeria remains our only patrimony and it is a patrimony we must protect.”
He further added that the judiciary must reaffirm their integrity through their actions in the election tribunal cases, encouraging all to treat them with respect and dignity. Obi concluded by calling on all Nigerians, especially the youths, to remain steadfast, calm, patient, and peaceful, working together to move Nigeria from corruption and criminality to a centre of productivity rather than aimless consumption.
The Nigerian judiciary is in shambles, needs overhauled