Diran Onifade, the spokesperson of the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has said he believes his principal could still get justice in court even after president-elect Bola Tinubu is sworn in on 29 May.
Onifade, in an interview with The Sun, expressed confidence in the tribunal and cited multiple incidences where people were recalled after being sworn into office.
“Ngige was governor of Anambra State for three years, when his election was found to be faulty, he was removed.
“Only of recent, Emeka Ihedioha in Imo was asked to vacate for Hope Uzodimma and on and on. So, it’s not a big deal. That’s not how system works. Even though some people think someone will use executive powers to curtail the court and all. There are separation of powers in our system.
“When you go to court, you expect to get justice in court and I have been citing examples of people who got justice in the Nigerian court system. We can’t just write them off. As for we, we trust them (the court) because our constitution doesn’t give us an option.”
READ ALSO: Tribunal Orders Peter Obi, Labour Party To Present Petitions Against Tinubu In 3 Weeks
Onifade also debunked statements by the Apapa Lamidi-led faction of Labour Party, that his chances were threatened at the tribunal due to failure to provide N1.5 million fee to obtain necessary documents needed as evidence in court from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“They are suspended. They are out of the system so they don’t know what is going on in the system. All this crap they are talking about does not make sense. They don’t have the right information as to what is going on in the party,” Onifade said.
“We are not owing INEC for anything. The court has asked INEC to give us documents. Our lawyers have complied. We have applied. Whatever is meant to be paid, has been paid but they don’t know because they are suspended.
“They are not part of the party at this point in time. In which party event have you seen them? They are only hopping from TV studio to TV studio. And claiming who they are not. Our party people that have now been elected, are they in touch with them?
“They are using sabotage to even deny these people of the mandate that elected them. This is what they are busy doing.
“They are outsiders. It is INEC that is owing us documents that court said they should give us. We are not owing them any money.”
READ ALSO: Court Dismisses Peter Obi’s Application For Live Broadcast
Peter Obi is currently challenging the emergence of Tinubu as the winner of the 25 February presidential election in the Presidential Election Tribunal Court in Abuja.
Pre-trials at the Presidential Election Tribunal ended on Tuesday, 22 May, while trial proper has been slated to begin on Tuesday, 30 May.
Petitioners have three weeks to present their case instead of the seven weeks they requested, from 30 May to 23 June.