Labour Party vice presidential candidate Datti Baba-Ahmed has pledged that his party will pursue legal avenues to contest the electoral process that resulted in the election of President-elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Baba-Ahmed made this commitment during a press conference at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday. He emphasized the Labour Party’s determination to address the injustices that have left many Nigerians disheartened, asserting that they will utilize all legal and peaceful means to fight for their cause.
The Labour Party’s presidential campaign council has raised concerns regarding the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) swift announcement of the election results and the issuance of Certificates of Return to both Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima. They allege that this process suggests collusion. This statement comes less than 24 hours after Tinubu was declared the winner of the presidential election held on Saturday, where he garnered 8,794,726 votes, defeating his closest rivals: Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, who received 6,984,520 votes, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, who secured 6,101,533 votes.
In his address to journalists, Baba-Ahmed criticized the election, stating that it failed to meet the minimum standards outlined by INEC guidelines and the Electoral Act of 2022. He remarked, “It is our position that the purported result did not meet the minimum criteria of a transparent, free, and fair election. In addition to the most condemnable attacks, violence, voter intimidation, and suppression, the election was conducted in clear violation of agreed and promised INEC rules and guidelines, the Electoral Act 2002 as amended, and indeed the Nigerian Constitution.”
Baba-Ahmed further asserted that the institutions of the state and their leaders, who were meant to uphold the integrity of the election, have once again collaborated to undermine the will of the Nigerian people. He assured supporters of their commitment to combat the injustices faced by Nigerians through all legal and peaceful means. While acknowledging the painful circumstances, he urged the public to remain calm and peaceful. He encouraged continued support for the Labour Party in the upcoming governorship and state house of assembly elections scheduled for Saturday, March 11, 2023. He concluded by stating that their principal, His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi, would address the nation in due course.
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