ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi has distanced himself from any planned nationwide protest by Obidients.
The former Anambra State Governor is, instead, accusing the opposition party of posting the said “#ENDINEC, #ENDNigeria” protest on the social media.
Voiceofnaija.ng gathered that there had been plans by the Obidient movement members to stage a nationwide protest on Monday, 20 March, to sound a note of warning to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the results of the 25 February presidential election.
The aim of the protest was to ground activities across the federation in a bid to force INEC to cancel the election results, as the Labour Party loyalists believe their candidate won the election.
Obi has now distanced himself from the event via his official Twitter handle on Friday afternoon, stressing that he must reclaim his stolen mandate in due process, regardless of the distrust many may have about Nigerian Judiciary.
He said: “My attention has been drawn to social media postings suggesting that a nation-wide groundswell “#ENDINEC”, “#ENDNigeria” Protest is being planned by the Obidients. We are aware that those postings are being orchestrated by the Opposition.
“My position is clear: Without prejudice to constitutional dictates on freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, I have publicly stated that in the matter of reclaiming our stolen mandate, we shall do so robustly, via the Courts and Due Process.
“Regardless of the misgivings many may have about our Judiciary, we must strive to build strong and resilient institutions, of which the Judiciary is one.
“As a firm believer in the separation of powers between the three arms of government, I am conscious that every so often, the Judiciary is called upon to vindicate itself on epochal national public-interest issues. The matter presently before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) is one such litmus test case.
“Therefore, we are committed to pursuing Due Process in an unfettered manner. That is our primary and priority option. -PO.”