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By Iheanyi Chukwudi
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi has berated the Supreme Court of Nigeria over its judgment that dismissed his appeal against the victory of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Bola Ahmed
He described the apex Court judgment as one that has destroyed confidence of Nigerians in the judiciary.
Obi who addressed a world press conference at the LP National Headquarters in Abuja on Monday, assured the people that he will continue with the battle he had since initiated to save Nigeria, as it was not about him as a person, but for posterity.
Recalled that the apex court had on October 26, 2023, dismissed Obi's appeals alongside that of the former Vice President and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, in the same election for lacking in merit, same position held by the Court of Appeal, Abuja, serving as the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT), which earlier on September 6, threw out all the petitions against Tinubu.
But underscoring the import of the Supreme Court's judgment, which threw out his petition challenging the victory of Tinubu on the February 25 election, Obi said said it is a breach of the people's confidence in judiciary.
He said, “Without equivocation, this judgment amounts to a total breach of the confidence the Nigerian people have in our judiciary. To that extent, it is a show of unreasonable force against the very Nigerian people from whom the power of the Constitution derives.”
Further describing Supreme Court's decision as a breach of the citizens’ trust in the judiciary, Obi accused the apex court of ignoring evidence which according to him further dampens citizens’ trust in the judiciary.
He therefore, urged his supporters to brace up for the battle ahead, noting that the race was actually not a dash but a marathon, which intention is the creation of a New Nigeria, every citizen would be proud of.
Obi said, “This Supreme Court ruling may represent the state of the law in 2023 but not the present demand for substantive justice.
The judgment mixed principles and precepts. Indeed, the rationale and premise of the Supreme Court judgment, have become clearer in the light of the deep revealing and troubling valedictory remarks by Hon. Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad, (JSC) on Friday 27th October 2023.
“Where the value and import of the recent Supreme Court ruling ends is where our commitment to a New Nigeria begins. Our mission and mandate remain unchanged.
From the very onset, our mission has been more about enthroning a new Nigeria. It is a new nation where things work, where the country is led from its present waste and consumption orientation to a production-driven economy.
“Our commitment is to a nation anchored on the principles of prudent management of resources to quickly pull millions out of multidimensional poverty, ensuring transparency and accountability in the equitable distribution of opportunities, resources, and privileges."
" In the new Nigeria, we aim to address all unmet needs by showing compassion for all those left behind by the present system.”
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