The All Progressives Congress (APC) has characterized Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Labour Party, as a “serial complainer” in the wake of the recent Edo governorship election results. Felix Morka, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, made these remarks during an interview with Arise TV on Tuesday, emphasizing that Obi tends to reject any election results that do not favor him or his supporters.
Morka stated, “Peter Obi is obviously, I think everyone who bothers with Nigeria’s politics knows that Peter Obi is a serial complainer. He will not accept the result of any election that is not in his favor or in favor of candidates that he supports. Since the 2003 election, Peter Obi has been a consistent denial of that election, and now he has a new pet project to deny the Edo election.”
He further asserted that Obi’s opinions on the Edo election are inconsequential, as he was neither a candidate nor a voter in that election. “We don’t reckon with Peter Obi because he wasn’t a candidate in Edo and he was not a voter. So whatever he thinks of that election is absolutely irrelevant,” Morka added.
In discussing the potential for a court case from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) candidates, Asue Ighodalo and Olumide Akpata, regarding the governorship election results, Morka expressed confidence in the legitimacy of the election outcome. He stated that both he and the APC candidate, Governor-elect Monday Okpebholo, are satisfied with the results.
Morka pointed out that the two candidates have yet to provide evidence supporting claims of electoral manipulation in favor of the APC candidate. “I think that Olumide Akpata and Asue Ighodalo have legitimate interests in that election. If they are not satisfied with the outcome, they must take the matter to court and prove the allegations they are making,” he explained.
He emphasized that mere allegations without substantiated evidence are insufficient in a legal context, stating, “When you get to court, it’s not about the headlines. You must break down the headlines into credible, realistic evidence before the courts to support your argument that you won the election or that there was some foul play or manipulation as they allege.”
Morka concluded by affirming that the APC is prepared to present its side of the case if the matter goes to court, reinforcing the principle that those who make allegations bear the burden of proof. “He who alleges must prove,” he remarked, highlighting the importance of evidence in a democratic process.
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