The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has challenged Peter Obi to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race following his claim of winning the 2023 presidential election. The council's spokesman, Dele Alake, criticised Obi for making baseless claims about the election outcome. Obi had stated in a BBC interview that he won the election despite admitting to having no evidence to support his claim.
Alake described Obi's statement as troubling and accused him of disregarding facts and evidence. He argued that Obi's continued insistence on winning the election, despite finishing third in the official results, raised questions about his credibility as a presidential aspirant. The APC spokesman maintained that President Bola Tinubu won the 2023 presidential election, as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
INEC declared Tinubu the winner with 8,794,726 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, came second with 6,984,520 votes. Obi, who contested on the platform of the Labour Party, finished third with 6,101,533 votes. Obi and his party subsequently challenged the outcome at the Presidential Election Petitions Court, alleging electoral irregularities and non-compliance with electoral laws.
The tribunal dismissed their petition on September 6, 2023, and affirmed Tinubu's victory. The Supreme Court also dismissed Obi's appeal on October 26, 2023, upholding the lower court's decision. Despite the legal outcomes, Obi reiterated his position during the BBC interview, saying he stood by his claim that he won the election.
The APC campaign council also renewed its call for Obi to honour an alleged earlier pledge to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race if it was established that his administration in Anambra State had left liabilities. According to the state's financial records, Obi's administration left behind liabilities. The council urged Obi to act honourably and exit the 2027 presidential race.
Meanwhile, former governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has clarified that he does not regard Obi as an enemy, despite their political differences. Oshiomhole made the clarification during an interview, explaining that both men had experienced political opposition when they served as governors under different parties.
Oshiomhole invited Obi to Edo State to commission a project, believing that political disagreements should not prevent leaders from supporting development. He urged people not to interpret their political disagreements as personal hostility and remained comfortable with his decision to invite Obi.
Key points
- The APC Presidential Campaign Council has asked Peter Obi to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race.
- Obi claimed to have won the 2023 presidential election despite admitting to having no evidence.
- The Supreme Court upheld President Bola Tinubu's victory in the 2023 presidential election.
