Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the Nigerian general elections held on February 28th, has warned Nigerians about the dangers of manipulating the rule of law and suppressing the will of the people in a letter addressed to Nigerians on the eve of the rescheduled governorship and state assembly elections. The election was initially scheduled for March 4th, but was postponed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to March 18th. In the letter titled “A New Nigeria is Again Possible on the 18th of March”, Obi urged Nigerians not to allow the misconduct of INEC during the February 25th presidential election to deter them from voting in the governorship and state assembly election.
Obi thanked Nigerians for their support during the election campaigns and their commitment to the idea of a “New Nigeria”, which he said was a Nigeria that works for all citizens. He highlighted the challenges of poverty, insecurity, corruption, unemployment, and failing educational and health systems facing the country, calling for a change.
Obi criticised INEC for its handling of the presidential election, which he said was deliberately conducted in gross detion of the agreed rules and regulations. He noted that the election fell far short of minimum acceptable standards of procedural integrity and democratic practice. He, however, assured Nigerians that his team was taking up the issues through all available legal and peaceful channels.
Obi expressed his gratitude to young Nigerians who braved the challenges and other contrived obstacles to cast their votes and make their voices heard. He called on all Nigerians to remain peaceful and law-abiding and assured them that a “New Nigeria” is an idea whose time has come.
