By Chris Udochukwu
The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the February 25, 2023 election, Peter Obi, says he did not grant a media interview suggesting that he will run for the office of the President in 2027.
In a Twitter post on Saturday, the former Anambra State governor lamented “an emerging pattern of fake media reports in two ways”.
Obi said the supposed interview never took place.
“The other is about my reaction to prospective appointees into the Federal Government. Both reports are bogus,” he tweeted.
I have noticed with dismay, an emerging pattern where fake media reports and news items are predicated on interviews and press remarks I never granted. Two recent instances relate to my saying that I am looking forward to running for office in 2027
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) July 15, 2023
Obi said he would continue to speak on topical national issues through recognised news and media outfits.
“My focus and that of the Obidient Movement will not derail from the original mission of creating a new Nigeria which we believe is possible.
“Our emphasis has never been on political positions or personal aggrandizement, but on putting the nation on the right footing and deepening our democracy by helping to elevate and empower the downtrodden in our society,” the LP presidential candidate said.
Obi came third in the election after the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu; and the flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.
Both Obi and Atiku are in court to challenge the declaration of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that Tinubu won the poll.
Precise Post recalls that the European Union and other foreign and local observers reports indicted INEC in so many ways.
According to EU, shortcomings in law and electoral administration hindered the conduct of well-run and inclusive elections and damaged trust in INEC”.
Adding that the 2023 elections were marred by problems that reduced public trust in electoral processes and reforms to enhance transparency and accountability are needed.
Similarly, there were multiple reports of voter intimidation by supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress and results were barely uploaded on a new electronic portal introduced to improve transparency, in real-time.
The EU mission said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should improve in six priority areas, including removing ambiguities in electoral law, ensuring the real-time publication of and access to election results and clamping down on electoral offences.
“A lack of transparency and operational failures reduced trust in the process and challenged the right to vote.”
