TheCable

Julius Abure, suspended national chairman of the Labour Party (LP), says the party will pursue its petition against the election of Bola Tinubu, president-elect, to a logical conclusion.

Abure was reacting in a statement on Sunday to the inauguration of the new president and his vice scheduled for Monday.

Abure, who was recently restrained by a federal capital territory (FCT) high court from acting as LP’s national chairman, described the conduct of the February 25 presidential election as a “tragedy”.

“On that fateful day, Nigerians from across ethnic, political and social divides, fired by the promises of President Muhammadu Buhari and professor Mahmud Yakubu, INEC chairman reinvigorated hope for a new political and administrative order having endured untold difficulties and rigours, in obtaining their PVC’s trooped out in their millions to cast their votes,” Abure said.

“In various states, state governors and public officials, particularly of the APC, directly influenced the voting and threatened, abducted and tortured electoral officials. 

“However, despite varying serious reports of violence, malfunctioning electoral devices and other hindrances, the voters’ accreditation and casting process, was fairly satisfactorily conducted. 

“But after the counting of votes, a dark cloud engulfed the nation. It became clear that the correct password, to transmit the presidential election results, electronically and instantly, from the BVAS to the INEC IREV, had been criminally withheld, contrary to specifications of the law and contrary to repeated emphasis, directives and promises to the nation and its citizens, by professor Mahmood Yakubu and INEC officials. 

“This deliberate act of criminal conspiracy was the beginning of the most bizarre and crazy rigging of elections in our national history.”

Abure alleged that votes lawfully cast for Peter Obi, LP candidate, were changed and reduced.

“As a law-abiding and responsible political party, and conscious of the overwhelming support we enjoy across the country, we have taken the matter before the presidential election petition tribunal, in trust and hope for justice, and we will not comment further,” he added.

“The massive mobilisation, rejuvenation and affirmation of the people, as expressed in the election of February 25th 2023, was not to hand over the reins of government, to the same people, with a historical very bad record of conduct, performance and irresponsibility but for a new order, where the people will have a greater stake in government and more direct influence in the implementation and supervision of development.

“Our people deserve a government, which can manage the country, for the good of all, with sincerity, creativity and discipline. A government that can reduce the biting tension and difficulties which families face in meeting their living needs and a government that can reduce reckless corruption, rebuild national institutions and reposition the country, in all ramifications. 

“That is the trust the people have placed in the Labour Party and the presidential ticket of Mr Peter Obi and Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed. This is the same burden of trust, we owe the Nigerian people, to see this matter to a lawful and logical resolution.

“We urge our supporters and all Nigerians to continue to express their passions, emotions and frustrations, within the confines of the law.

“We have no doubt whatsoever, that in the fullness of time as long as we know the truth and are prepared to keep standing by the truth, justice shall prevail. And Nigeria will regain the chance for a new direction, love and trust among our people and true national growth.”