‘People who share the aspiration for new Nigeria voted for me,’ says Obi, condemns tribalism in politics

Presidential Candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the February 25 election, Mr. Peter Obi has berated some politicians who, according to him, have been flying the ethnicity kite in promoting their candidates, saying its not ethnic ‘but some mischievous persons trying to create such an impression.’

Obi while featuring as guest on the ARISE Television’s Morning Show, Monday morning, declared that ‘many non-Igbos and Yorubas who share the aspiration for new Nigeria voted for him.’

On claims from some quarters that his loss at the February 25 Presidential elections was the will of God, the former Anambra State Governor insisted that ‘God doesn’t rig elections,’ adding that the problem of Nigeria ‘is accepting what is wrong and unacceptable as God’s wish for the country.’

According to Obi, ‘God does not wish bad things for people and this is what the Obidient Movement is trying to change.’

“If we accept the way elections are now, how do we tell the armed robbers and kidnappers that they are doing something wrong?

“The problem of Nigeria is accepting what is unacceptable. That’s not God’s wish. God’s wish is when you do the right thing. Is it God’s wish that we remain poor as a country despite his abundant blessings on us?” Obi said.

The former Anambra State governor said that Nigeria has remained decadent in a continuous state of moral decline because many citizens keep accepting what is wrong and dragging God into it.

He, however, said the Obidient Movement is in the system to change it and create a new egalitarian society.

“It is a saddening fact that after 63 years as a nation, Nigeria is yet unable to conduct a good election. The February 25 presidential election is the worst in Nigeria’s history considering that the Electoral Law of 2022 was enacted to ensure free, fair and credible elections.”

While ruling out any partnership with another political party in challenge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conduct of the February 25 polls, Obi said other parties ‘are challenging a process that is wrong created by INEC to serve a particular purpose.’

According to the LP candidate, while he is pursuing his mandate through legal and peaceful means, it is disheartening that rule of law is being treated with levity by INEC ‘which is a public institution maintained by taxpayer’s money.’

“What I am challenging is the process, not the result of the election as conducted by INEC, and I do not hope to back out until the right thing is done because doing and accepting the wrong thing is what has kept the nation down.”

Responding to questions raised by some persons challenging the election results he got from the south East, Obi insisted that the 97 percent votes he secured in Anambra State ‘should not disturb anybody,’ as, according to him, he was expecting 100 percent  votes as the people know him and believe in him.

“They forgot that I got over 95 percent in Anambra State in 2019 when I was a running mate, in 2023 I was the main candidate. I am even surprised that I did not get 100 percent.

“Wike tampered with my vote in Rivers state. Even in Rivers state where everyone knows the governor worked against me, I scored over 50% of the real vote count.

“I’ve never paid anybody one kobo to vote for me. I’ve never asked INEC officials to add one vote that isn’t mine.

“I won in Aso Rock, who do I have there to enable me rig? I have no counselor or chairmanship I won’t respond to them except to their principals.”

Responding to politicians stoking tribal tensions in Lagos over the victory of the Labour Party in the February 25 Presidential elections and more recently the ethnicity question over the Labour Party governorship candidate in the state, Mr Gbadebo Vivour-Rhodes, Obi said it is not ethnic but ‘some mischievous persons trying to create such an impression.’

“A Pakistanis is the Mayor of London. An Indian is the Prime minister of UK. So why are we trying to fight ourselves with tribe? It is when people cannot compete on competence, character, capacity and compassion that they resort to tribalism and politics of hatred.

“When people cannot compete on competence character & capacity, they bring in ethnicity & violence. This rascality is what we’re trying to remove from our polity.

“Many non-Igbos and Yorubas who share the aspiration for new Nigeria voted for me.

“Even if Igbos voted for me, this is not the first time they are voting for people, they had voted massively like this for Olusegun Obasanjo even when he lost an election in his region and they also gave Jonathan more votes than South-South states and all these brouhahas did not happen,” he said.

On claims that Vivour-Rhodes lacks experience, Ob responded that the experience they accuse him (Gbadebo) of lacking is that of corruption.

“They’re claiming experience but what they have is an experience in failure and criminality. They say GRV is just 40 and doesn’t have any political experience

“Which experience? I was 41 years when I first campaigned in politics. The only experience these people have is experience of corruption & stealing. We need someone to clean up their mess,” Obi said.