Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Shouts of “You are my President” rented the air Thursday in Abuja, as the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, addressed a press conference in Abuja.
Excited crowd of newsmen, guests and visitors at the Abuja venue of the event could not hold their emotions as they began to shout “my President, my President,” as Obi addressed a world press conference.
The former Anambra State Governor who was believed to have won the highly compromised February 25 presidential poll, was nearly mobbed at the end of the press conference by enthusiastic admirers who jostled to exchange pleasantries with him.
Meanwhile, Obi, has vowed to reclaim his stolen mandate at the court.
He expressed disappointment over the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to transmit results of the election from the polling units contrary to easier promises by the commission.
Ikengaonline had reported that INEC announced Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, winner of the presidential contest after he was said to have polled 8,794,726 votes.
But most of the opposition parties including the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; and LP have disagreed with INEC, alleging the result was doctored in favour of the APC candidate.
While Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, came second with 6,984,520 votes; Obi polled 6,101,533 to come third.
Obi expressed regrets that after Nigerians especially the youths staked their lives to vote for change, their will was subverted by INEC and its collaborators.
He, however, assured that a new Nigeria was possible, adding that: “Nigerians, especially the youths, believed in and worked tirelessly for a new Nigeria.”
The LP candidate appreciated his supporters for their sacrifices towards a new Nigeria.
“Gratitude to the Obidients, those who believed a new Nigeria is possible and I say to them a new Nigeria is possible and we will work for that new Nigeria that is possible.
“The commitment and silence of Nigerians, even in the face of unwarranted panic attacks, is a testimony that a new Nigeria is indeed possible.
“Look at people like Lady Jennifer, who was stabbed and still went on to vote, then that gives me the courage to believe that a new Nigeria is indeed possible.
“They asked us to go the court. Remember, I’m an ‘Obidient’. So I will go to where they ask us to go.”
Obi expressed sadness over the criminal reduction of the number of voters due to deliberate ploy to disenfranchise some voters in the areas considered strong base for the opposition.
“The reason for the reduction is due to manipulation and removal of votes here and there. We have chosen that we will challenge this rascality for the future of this country.
“Nigeria can’t conduct credible elections after 63 years of independence. It’s something we should all reflect on.”
The LP candidate explained that contrary to rumours, he was not in alliance with any party, but noted he was cooperating with others who also felt hurt by the rape of democracy with a view to getting justice.
“We are not in an alliance. We’re discussing and in partnership with other people and any other Nigerians who feel hurt as we do.”
Obi urged for calm, appealing to the youths not to give up but remain resilient until they triumph.
