A political pressure group, Middle Belt Movement for Restoration and Development says the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour party, Peter Obi, is free to express his views on any national issue.
The group, in a statement signed by its secretary, Bulus Manzo and its spokesman, Emmanuel Idakwo and made available to newsmen said nobody can gag Obi.
The group said it was disgusted when a certain group said it has restricted the candidate from making any statement regarding the 2023 election, saying this amounts to infringement of the fundamental human rights of expression of the candidate.
Obi had come under attack by the group when he recently commented on the forthcoming South Africa presidential election in which he compared the two democratic history of the two countries and said Nigeria was yet to live as giant of Africa especially as it regards its electoral process.
The statement reads in part:
“We are deeply concerned by the recent imposition of a gag order on the presidential candidate of the Labour Party by some pressure groups in the Middle Belt Pan Nigeria Forum. This directive restricts the candidate from making any statements regarding the 2023 presidential election. The election, widely recognized as plagued by irregularities, particularly in the transmission of results from polling units to the IREV, has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the electoral processes.
“The mandate of INEC to ensure that Nigerian citizens’ votes are accurately counted and reflected in the final results has come under scrutiny with reports suggesting discrepancies between votes cast and the results announced. The disenchantment felt by the electorate due to these irregularities undermines the democratic principles upheld by our nation.
“It is imperative that measures are taken to address these concerns and uphold the credibility of the electoral process. Restricting candidates from speaking out on such issues only serves to stifle transparency and hinder the path towards a fair and just election outcome.
“We call for a reevaluation of this seeming statement that appears to be the hands Esau but the voice of Jacob. We therefore urge all middle belt stakeholders to prioritize transparency, accountability, and respect for democratic principles in all electoral processes.
“The European Union Report on the presidential election stands as a comprehensive analysis and critique, serving as a paradigm for electoral processes worldwide.
“The evident shortcomings revealed during the election proceedings have cast a shadow of doubt over the integrity of our electoral system. Regrettably, the lack of transparency and accountability exhibited by the electoral management body has only fueled skepticism and disillusionment among the populace.
“Despite the Supreme Court’s affirmation of the Election Tribunal’s decision, it does not negate the glaring irregularities that marred the electoral process. The absence of a plausible explanation for the technical glitches further compounds the skepticism surrounding the election outcome. The notion that the Supreme Court’s ruling was a foregone conclusion raises questions about the independence and impartiality of our judicial system
“The history of Nigerian presidential elections has been marred by allegations of irregularities and malfeasance, yet seldom have such grievances resulted in a reversal of outcomes. The need for electoral reform and adherence to democratic principles has never been more pressing in ensuring the credibility and legitimacy of our electoral processes.
“Indeed, Mr. Peter Obi’s efforts in reviving Nigeria’s leadership roles in the foreign affairs arena, particularly within the African continent, deserve admiration, recognition and commendation. In a time where Nigeria’s status as the ‘Giant of Africa’ seemed to be waning, Peter Obi’s strategic initiatives and diplomatic engagements have contributed significantly to reviving Nigeria’s influence and prominence.”
