‘Despair Is Not An Option’ – Peter Obi Sends Important Message To Obidents

Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) candidate in the 2023 presidential election has addressed his followers known as the ‘Obidients’ and other supporters who believe in his dream of achieving a ‘New Nigeria’ following the judgement delivered by the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) on Wednesday, 6th September 2023.

VerseNews had earlier reported that the Tribunal upheld the election of President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and also expunged 37 exhibits tendered by the witnesses from the court’s records.

Justice Haruna Tsammani, leader of the five-man panel in judgement said, “This petition accordingly lacks merit. I affirm the return of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the duly elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The parties are to bear their cost.”

Reacting to the judgment delivered by the PEPC, this Online News Website reported that Obi at a press conference in the commercial town of Onitsha, Anambra state copiously acknowledged the Court’s contributions to due process and the seeming attempt to strengthen our democracy and vowed to challenge the judgment by the way of appeal in the Supreme Court.

Obi said “As petitioners in this case, we respect the views and rulings of the Court, but we disagree with the Court’s reasoning and conclusions in the judgment it delivered. It is my intention as a presidential candidate and the intention of the Labour Party to challenge this judgment by way of appeal immediately, as allowed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”

“Our legal team has already received our firm instruction to file an appeal against the decision. I shall not relent in the quest for justice, not necessarily for myself but indeed for our teeming supporters all over the country and beyond whose mandate to us at the polls was regrettably truncated by INEC.”

However, the former Anambra Governor in a message via X platform (formerly called Twitter) to his supporters said “despair or surrender is not an option.”

Obi  assured that the recent disappointments from the Court have inspired him to re-dedicate himself to the cause of building a New Nigeria.

He insisted that Nigeria must belong to all Nigerians and not to a select few.

Read message below:

 MESSAGE TO ALL OBIDIENTS AND MY SUPPORTERS

“DESPAIR IS NOT AN OPTION”.

“My Dear Obidient Family and Supporters, I trust that you all have listened to, or read my reaction to the judgment delivered by the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) on Wednesday, 6th September 2023.

“Understandably, there has been a note of general disappointment within our fold and indeed the general population of Nigerians who hoped that the outcome of the February 25th Presidential election would usher in a new and different Nigeria of our dreams.

“That dream has only been deferred for now but remains alive for all times. Since the Tribunal verdict, there has been a note of general despair among the Obidients and the generality of our supporters. I assure you all that on this journey, despair or surrender is not in our options.

“Today, I want to personally reach out and encourage you all to keep hope alive. Considering the challenges that lie ahead of us as a movement, despair is not an option. Nothing good in life comes easy. Throughout history, positive changes come only with sacrifices, perseverance, resilience and fluctuating fortunes. Right from the onset of our journey, I told you all that the journey upon which we were about to embark was not a short sprint, but a long and tough marathon. It was always going to be difficult, painful and excruciating.

“We set out knowing fully well that the forces we are up against are entrenched and formidable but not insurmountable. They would resist the wind of change and try to push us into surrender or despair. We must not succumb to their design.

“I am inspired that we have endured the odds placed in our way at every point. In such a short space of time, we have persevered to get to the point where we cannot be ignored any longer. Therefore, I urge you to abide and never think of giving up.

“I wish to assure you that our recent disappointments have inspired me to re-dedicate myself to the cause of building a New Nigeria. For me, rescuing Nigeria is a lifelong commitment, and on this journey, we shall be resolute but orderly, principled but lawful.

“I assure you that we shall persist with even greater determination and zeal until we get to our destination. Nigeria must belong to all Nigerians and not to a select few.

Like all of you, I believe fervently that a New Nigeria is POssible. God bless you all and God bless Nigeria. –PO”