LP logo (file photo)
‘As much as the APC may excoriate the EU, its unvarnished report is universally available and cannot be redacted or suppressed’
By Valentine Amanze
The Labour Party (LP) has condemned the protest by some All Progressives Congress (APC) hirelings at the premises of the European Union (EU) Mission in Abuja, describing the protestation on Friday as a huge national embarrassment.
It also said that the protest exhibitted how antithetical the party was to truth and measures that would grow and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
The APC protesters were demanding that the EU should withdraw its final report on Nigeria’s 2023 general election held on 25 February and 18 March 2023, claiming that the report was capable of setting the country on fire.
But, in a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of LP, Mr.Obiora Ifo, on Friday, the LP wondered how the EU Report could set the country on fire.
Also read: EU report: You can’t be a judge in your own case, African group tells presidency
It stated: “It is counter-intuitive, awkward and difficult to comprehend that if after the electoral brigandage of the APC in cahoot with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on February 25, Nigeria did not go on fire because of the non-violence disposition of LP flagbearer, Peter Obi, it is now that the APC thinks the stark truth coming from an unbiased independent body like the EU will set Nigeria on fire.
“What the Labour Party expected the APC to do is to lavishly appreciate the European Union for their continued yeoman contributions to the growth of democracy in our country through needs assessment missions and consequent financial, technical, and logistical support, which the 94-page report further underscores.”
It however advised the APC government to borrow a leave from the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, who in 2007, after winning the Presidential election perceived by international observers as not sufficiently credible, accepted to make amends by promising to reform the electoral system.
LP pointed out that it was the reform of the electoral system started by Yar’Adua and continued by his successor President Goodluck Jonathan after his death that facilitated the victory of an opposition APC defeating an incumbent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015.
“It’s the height of ingratitude and lack of sense of history for the same APC to be protesting against the same EU that had never failed to issue its observation reports after every election since 1999 and shouldn’t have looked away at the worst and most egregiously conducted elections in the history of Nigeria,” it stated.
Besides, the LP advised the APC government to discredit the EU report point by point, stressing, “Where they can’t, they should accept the fact that they are in possession of a stolen mandate, a reality known to all and sundry.
“It’s not difficult to understand why such an unbiased forthright report is so discomforting to the ruling party to the extent of hiring protesters because no thief likes to see or hear from anybody coming with evidence that will expose him.”
It further advised Nigeria and lovers of democracy globally to appreciate the EU for its persistent role in growing democratic principles in the country and refusing to be frustrated despite the anti-democratic attitude of politicians and leaders.
“APC should understand fully that seeking to represent Nigeria with a stolen electoral mandate at various African and international fora, where representatives of smaller countries that were able to conduct credible elections, with broadly accepted outcomes are present, will always remain an albatross for our country.
“As much as the APC may excoriate the EU, its unvarnished report is universally available and cannot be redacted or suppressed,” LP stated.
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