By Daniel Edu
Obiora Ifoh, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, discussed the party’s perspective on the ongoing election petitions tribunal and allegations of an impending rerun election in an interview with Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis.
The basis for the claim that the APC is planning a rerun election following the ongoing presidential election petitions tribunal was disclosed by the Labour Party National Chairman, Julius Abure, during a virtual conversation with party members across the world. Abure shared credible information that the APC-led government, realizing their unfavorable position in the case, might be pushing for a rerun election. This information was intended to alert party members and the public to the situation.
When asked why such information wasn’t limited to party members, Ifoh explained that reaching all members individually was impractical. Many of the people who supported and voted for the Labour Party weren’t official members of the party, and it was crucial to inform them about potential developments. The aim was to ensure that supporters were aware of possible strategies from the ruling APC, encouraging them to be ready with their voter cards and continued support.
Regarding the source of the information, Ifoh clarified that it came from credible sources within the party’s network, and the decision to disclose it was based on its credibility. Ifoh emphasized the party’s confidence in the judicial process and its belief that the tribunal, composed of reputable judicial officers, would deliver justice.
The Labour Party’s stance was that they won the election and had presented evidence to the tribunal. They weren’t requesting a rerun but the restoration of their allegedly stolen mandate. The assertion was that the APC might be considering a rerun due to the lack of strong evidence in their favor.
Ifoh criticized the conduct of the 2023 election, mentioning issues like violence, threats to voters, and the failure to utilize innovative technologies like the INEC Result Viewing portal (IReV).
On the EU report about the election, Ifoh endorsed its accuracy and noted that several other international bodies had also expressed their observations on the election. He referenced the widespread violence and threats during the election as concerning issues.
