By Sunday Isuwa, Abuja
The Igbo Elders Consultative Forum FCT, Abuja has said that the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections, Peter Obi will be declare president.
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Speaking at a press conference jointly address by the Chairman of the Igbo Elders Consultative Forum and former governor of Anambra State, Dr Chukwuemeka Nzeife and Secretary, Prof Charles Nwekeaku, said they are confident that Obi won the election and will soon be declared as the rightful winner.
“The Igbo Elders Consultative Forum met recently; reviewed and critically analyzed some national issues including the fall-out of the February 25, 2023 Presidential/National Assembly Elections and resolved as follows:
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“The media reports credited to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Gen Muhammadu Buhari that he would swear-in Mr Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, the candidate of the All Progressives Party, APC in the February 25, 2023 Presidential elections as the new President of Nigeria on May 29, 2023 despite the fact that the matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction is shocking and embarrassing to the members of the Igbo Elders Consultative Forum.
“It would be recalled that both His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and His Excellency, Mr Peter Obi the presidential candidates of both the Peoples Democratic Party “PDP” , and the Nigeria Labour Party, respectively have both challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declaration of Mr Ahmed Tinubu as the president elect in a controversial and fraudulently conducted election.
The statement credited to Mr President, which is yet to be refuted, is the height of arrogance, insensitivity, madness, unpatriotism and prejudice. Many credible international and local observers, including the Igbo Elders Consultative Forum have condemned that election as fraudulent, dubious and irresponsible exercise capable of setting Nigeria ablaze as INEC has failed in every material content to meet its own yardstick for free, fair and credible elections.
“The voting materials, polling and security agents arrived very late in different parts of the country on the voting day, as INEC deliberately refused to upload or transmit the votes to the central server as stipulated in the 2022 new Electoral Act. In some cases there were no security agents in polling units thereby exposing the electoral officers and voting materials to unimaginable risks and dangers. In few cases where INEC reluctantly transmitted results, it was selective as only the Senate and House of Representatives results were uploaded, while the Presidential results were blatantly and recklessly abandoned, and, in some cases ‘doctored to suit the interest of INEC and its paid masters. Therefore, Mr President’s comment before the Judicial pronouncement on the matter is considered as the height of insensitivity, indecorum, arrogance and naked intimidation of Nigerians who, despite the existential hardships, trooped out in millions to vote for a new and functional Nigeria, ” the elders said adding that with the court case, they are confident Obi will emerged as the next Nigerian president.
The elders which also condemned what they described as the naked intimidation, harassment and destruction of shops and other property of non-indigenes in some parts of the country, especially in Lagos and Rivers States where the ruling political parties apparently lost to the Labour Party in the February 25, 2023 Presidential election is worrisome, disturbing, embarrassing and dangerous to democracy, adding that it is capable of setting this country ablaze.
“That the government is yet to arrest and prosecute the culprits who perpetrated these heinous crimes is even more worrisome and embarrassing, as it raises a fundamental question of whether the Federal Government is still capable of protecting lives and property of Nigerians, which is the primary responsibility of every modern government. We, therefore, call on the Federal Government and various state governments to rise up to the occasion of the protection of lives and property of Nigerians especially non indigenes in Lagos and Rivers States to avoid reprisal effects and the resultant instability and destabilization of this country by the enemies of progress. We also demand that the victims of these unwarranted intimidation, harassment and destruction of lives and property should be paid adequate compensation and properly rehabilitated as loyal citizens of this country,” the elders said while urging the Independent National Electoral Commission not only to get its acts together to conduct free, fair and credible elections on Saturday, but also ensure that votes are transmitted immediately at the polling units as provided in the 2022 new Electoral Act.
“INEC should ensure adequate security for polling materials and voters at the polling units in various parts of the country. The Igbo Elders Consultative Forum wishes to encourage Nigerians to vote in this weekend’s election and retire from politics all non-performing governors and legislators for a new and functional Nigeria.
“We encourage our people in various parts of the Federation, including South East, Lagos and Rivers states to go out and vote for candidates of their choice on Saturday without fear of molestation and intimidation as adequate security has been put in place for the protection of their lives and property. The shoddy work and unimpressive performance of INEC in the February 25 Presidential elections, the intimidation of voters and some party agents at some collation centers, the harassment and destruction of shops and property of non indigenes in Lagos, Rivers and other states in the country, as well as some incitements of some faceless scoundrels in the South East that threaten voters not to participate in the election, among other threats, should not discourage any person from voting because your votes will count in deciding who becomes your governor and state legislator. Please, go out and vote on Saturday as adequate security arrangements have been put in place to protect your lives and property. Your vote will count this time; hence you should boldly go and discharge your civic responsibility, vote out and retire unceremoniously non performing politicians on Saturday.
“And for shameless and unpatriotic elements who go to beg and collect money from dubious politicians in the name of Ohaneze, only to sabotage the collective efforts of our people with other progressive Nigerians to produce a credible, competent and widely acceptable President of Nigeria, posterity will not be kind to them and their families. By the grace of God, Obi will be declare president, ” the elders said while answering questions from journalists.
