The Lagos State Chapter of the Labour Party has called on the judges sitting at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja, to deliver judgment without fear or favour of any individual or group, as they set to give verdict on the 2023 Presidential election on Wednesday, September 6, 2023.
This was contained in a statement issued by the spokesperson for the state chapter of the party, Olubunmi Odusanya.
Odusanya reminded that it was a huge responsibility for the judges, noting that they should deliver justice in the interest of all Nigerians who have entrusted them with their fates, to decide on the genuine outcome of the February 25, 2023, election, adding that they should not bow to pressure or intimidation from any external bodies.
The party scribe also celebrated the victories of their national assembly candidates, Okey-Joe Onuakalusi and Wande George, whose elections into the Oshodi-Isolo II and Amuwo-Odofin Federal Constituencies respectively, were upheld by a National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Ikeja, Lagos on Monday.
He however commended the judges, noting that it was a symbol that “Nigeria, can still be salvaged with the right people in the right institutions of the state.’’
The statement partly read, “Given the above, we at the Labour Party Lagos State urge the Judges at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, PEPT in Abuja to toe the line of their colleagues in Lagos as they set to deliver judgement on Wednesday, September 6, 2023.
“This is an enormous responsibility in their hands and we urge them to deliver justice in the interest of Nigeria, not self. We want the Tribunal Judges to realise that the destinies of over two hundred million are in their hands. This is the time to put Nigeria in her rightful place in the committee of nations.
“A position denied the Country by the acts of misgovernance and maladministration inflicted on us by brigandage and charlatans posing as leaders in the time past. We urge the Judges not to succumb to any form of pressure or intimidation from any quarter.
“Nigeria is bigger than all of us and our allegiance should be to the nation, not self. The time to take back Nigeria is now. In like manner, we implore all Labour Party members and supporters and indeed all ObiDients to remain optimistic that our Principal, Peter Obi will be given his clear mandate as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria tomorrow September 6 2023. This will be a definitive move to take back our Country and steer it back on the right track of greatness. It is the only leadership that will birth a New Nigeria.
“Furthermore, Labour Party Lagos State received with rude shock and sadness the judgements delivered by the National and State Assembly Petition Tribunal, wherein in our sitting House of Representatives Member for Ojo Federal Constituency was sacked and the plea of our Lagos Central Senatorial candidate’s was thrown out based on matters we feel are pre-election issues.
“We thank God that the Tribunal is not the final court of arbitration in these matters. Labour Party will appeal the said judgements.
“We, at Labour Party are also in solidarity with our indefatigable and ebullient Governorship candidate of Lagos state, Architect Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, whose victory at the Tribunal the Party expects when judgement is delivered in the petition. We reiterate our hope, trust and confidence in the Nigerian Judiciary for a truly strong democracy that will usher in the new Nigeria we all hope for and desire. May God help us to do right.”