Peter Obi, of the Labour Party presidential candidate support group, known as Peter Obi Vanguard (POV) has advised its members to rest the temptation to join any protest, stressing that it may just be another ploy to kill them.
Hours after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the presidential election, winner, the POV in a press statement signed by King Mario, convener of POV, urged members to remain calm and still come out in the 11th March to vote for Labour Party candidates in the governorship and House of Assembly elections across the states.
The statement reads, “Greetings Fellow Nigerians and especially beloved members of the Peter Obi Vanguard (POV).
“It has become very important that I make this written address. Following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) declaration of the winner of the 2023 presidential election. It was not unexpected and we are neither surprised nor are we perturbed by the emergence of the APC candidate, as declared by the INEC.
“They have expectations and a grand plan. Hence, this declaration was done at about 4.00.am on Wednesday 1st of March 2023. We must not prove them right in their calculations about us. They want Nigerians to wake up to the known news and react. No! No!! No!!! Reactions to their expectations shall be given to them.
The statement added, “I urge you to resist every temptation to lead or join any protest. They will hijack it and use it against us. It will mean giving them another opportunity to kill and reduce our number. No blood of a true Nigerian is worth their desperation.
The group added, “We are more in number, more intelligent, and more informed, we are even better at the use of the technology they have used. The whole thing is clear even to the blind.
“The molestation, threats, and worst are instances when security personnel aided and abetted them. The supposed umpire, INEC showed itself compromised by not adhering strictly to its set out regulations.
“Our arguments are simple and unambiguous, do you change the rules of the game in the middle of the game? The INEC through its electoral act stated as follows;
No Permanent Voter Card (PVC) NO Voting. INEC please review to see that this was vehemently contravened. No BVAS Accreditation, No Voting, INEC please verify.
“Results shall be uploaded in real-time, and from the polling units. This was not done. When the INEC reverted to the manual collation of results, people called for review it preferred they should seek redress according to the law, INEC has left the ambiance of the law.
“The truth is that the contradictions in this election are numerous and only leave the common man with no hope or faith in this nation.
The group added, “Evil has no future and cannot stand the test of time. We are determined to take back our country, without allowing a repetition of the “Lekki Toll Gate” experience. The people we are up against have no values and talk more of having values for human lives.
