How I defeated Obi, others – Tinubu
Tinubu And Obi1. According to Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, who filed a preliminary objection on behalf of his client, Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Election Petition Court, Ifeanyi Ubah’s vice presidential candidate, Jerry Obi, was not validly nominated to contest the 2022 presidential election, as he did not comply with sections 77(2) and (3) of the Electoral Act.
2. Furthermore, Tinubu’s lawyer argued that Jerry Obi’s name was not present on the Labour Party’s register of members. He went on to claim that Obi’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the LP 30 days prior to the presidential primaries, which eventually produced him as a candidate, was unlawful.
3. In the preliminary objection filed by his legal team, Tinubu cited his consistency and track record of excellence in public service as the reasons why millions of Nigerians voted for him during the presidential election.
4. Tinubu also accused Obi of political party-hopping and argued that the Labour Party did not have enough structure to win the presidential contest.
5. According to Tinubu, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Business and Administration degree from the Chicago State University since 1979, and has vast public and private sector experience, having worked as an auditor and treasurer of Mobil Oil Nigeria.
6. Tinubu started his political career as a founding member of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) and was later elected into the Nigerian Senate in 1992, representing Lagos West Senatorial District.
7. In response to allegations of election irregularities, Tinubu denied that the presidential election was fraught with irregularities, while also accusing Jerry Obi of accepting the results in states where he won and disputing the results in states where he lost.
8. Tinubu’s legal team argued that the petitioners embarked on a wild goose chase by questioning election results, including the results in Lagos, Imo, and Plateau states, where they were declared winners, as well as in states where the PDP won, such as Taraba, Adamawa, Bauchi, and Kaduna.
9. Tinubu’s legal team argued that the petitioners did not provide specific information on the number of votes affected by irregularities, making their claims of non-compliance and corrupt practices mere speculation and conjecture.
10. Tinubu maintained that he is a political titan and maestro with national acceptance. On the other hand, Jerry Obi and the Labour Party pale in comparison in terms of structures, stability, national spread, as well as political office holders who have won at both the national and state levels.
11. Expanded on the above, Tinubu stated that the 2nd and 3rd respondents (APC and himself) scored over 25% of the votes cast in 29 states, cutting across different geo-political zones, while the petitioners only managed to score 25% in 16 states.
12. In conclusion, Tinubu prayed that the court not only dismisses Jerry Obi’s petition but also probes election results from states where the Labour Party won.
