5 Things Peter Obi Can Do Following a Tinubu Win 

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party(LP) has been silent since his All Progressive Congress (APC) counterpart was declared the winner of Saturday’s 2023 presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

His silence has however generated several speculations in the minds of Nigerian youths who are saddened by Tinubu’s win. These speculations include questions like will Obi congratulate Tinubu? Or will he challenge the electoral umpire’s result in court?

In this article, we will briefly examine some significant responses Peter Obi can give following Tinubu’s win. 

Obi will never congratulate Tinubu 

For Obi, congratulating Tinubu could be synonymous with accepting defeat at the polls. This is made evident in a tweet by his running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba Ahmed. Datti said he knows the silence of Peter Obi is quiet is killing APC. He added, “They don’t know what Obi is thinking hence you have been seeing tweets from them saying “Make the call and congratulate Asiwaju”. Peter Obi will never do that. Like I said, fasten your seat belt, it’s going to be a long ride.”

While accepting defeat is a way of showing respect for the nation’s democratic process, LP claims that there were many discrepancies in the conduct of the election, especially in the transmission of the results.

Obi can challenge the result in court 

Challenging the result in court could be another viable option for Obi. This is because the LP candidate has a record of victories in election-related petitions. In 2003, Obi contested as the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), 

but his opponent, Chris Ngige of the People’s Democratic Party, was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission. 

He took the results to court and after almost three years of litigation, Ngige’s victory was overturned by the Court of Appeal on 15 March 2006. Upon his victory, Obi took office for governorship on 17 March 2006.

Later that year, Obi was impeached by the state house of the assembly after seven months in office. He successfully challenged his impeachment and was reinstated by the Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu. 

The former Anambra governor left office on 29 May 2007 following the General Elections, in which the electoral body declared Andy Uba the winner. Again, Obi returned to the courts once more, this time contending that the four-year tenure he had won in the 2003 elections only started to run when he took office in March 2006. He was victorious as the Supreme Court of Nigeria on 14 June 2007 upheld Obi’s contention and returned Obi to office.

These collective victories at the court could be Peter Obi’s next line of action. However, It is important to note that there is a time limit for filing an election petition, and the candidate must provide sufficient evidence to support their claim.

Obi can mobilise the youths for a peaceful protest 

Obi’s candidacy gave life to Nigerian youths disheartened by the economic hardship the nation grapples with at the moment. These youths, most of them broken from the outcome of the 2020 ENDSARS protest, hoped that Obi’s win will give them the Nigeria they deserve. This is why it is a viable option for Obi. Obi could choose to organize peaceful protests or rallies to draw attention to the inconsistencies that marred the 2023 presidential elections.

Since the effect of the ENDSARS protest was felt across the nation, leading a peaceful protest could be one of Obi’s next actions.

Obi can leave the country  

The former governor could also decide to leave the country. Since his desire to assume the highest leadership position in the country to bring about the needed change was not granted, he could leave the country and return to his previous routine. 

Obi who cast his vote at his polling unit in Agulu, in Anambra State, asserted that he won’t work with the opposition if he loses. 

He said, “No, it won’t come to that, but I am not looking for a job, I am a very contented person. “I want to show compassion. I want to help pull people out of poverty.” 

Obi can consult foreign bodies for help 

Before the elections, Obi had a lot of consultations with the international community on how to bring about a better Nigeria. He was featured at conferences, town hall meetings, and media interviews and delivered lectures in Europe, Canada, and America. This could also be another thing Obi can do. 

He can contact international bodies and examine his chances of overturning the declaration of INEC.