Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide his legal team with certified true copies of all election materials used during the polls in line with the court of appeal’s order.
On Friday, March 17, 2023, Obi took to Twitter to express his concern that INEC has yet to give his legal team all the required materials to prosecute his case, even with only four to five days left for parties to file petitions.
As we are directed to go to court, we call on INEC to provide all the required materials and access to our legal and technical teams to do their job. INEC should not be a hinderance to the efforts to get justice for a New Nigeria!
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) March 17, 2023
‘What INEC did with the WILL OF NIGERIANS on the 25th of February is even far more troubling. It will only serve to exacerbate our sad situation, the frustration of the people, and the deterioration of the country,” Obi tweeted.
“As we are directed to go to court, we call on INEC to provide all the required materials and access to our legal and technical teams to do their job. INEC should not be a hindrance to the efforts to get justice for a New Nigeria!
“History has taught us that the destruction of a society can be gradual or sudden through deliberate manipulation of the rule of law and suppression of the will of the people,” the multiple-award-winning former governor added.
Labour Party official and its legal representatives had visited INEC headquarters on March 13, 2023 demanding access to the materials they need to file a petition against the election.
Based on the Electoral laws, litigants have only 21 days to file a petition against a concluded election.
INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, had assured them that the commission would provide all the documents requested by Obi and his team.
“INEC has nothing to hide. Documents available at the HQ will be given immediately. We are meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners today, and we will discuss how other documents at the state level could also be made available to you speedily,” Yakubu told Obi’s legal team.
However, Obi has expressed concern that INEC’s failure to provide all election materials for his legal team to prosecute his case is hindering justice.
Obi also stated that INEC’s actions in the previous election, held on February 25, had already contributed to the deterioration of the country’s situation and the frustration of the people.
He urged INEC not to suppress the will of the people and hinder the efforts to get justice for a new Nigeria.
