Diaspora Nigerians Protest, Demands Presidential Polls Trial Conclusion Before May 29 Inauguration     

FROM OKEOGBUECHI UCHECHUKWUJEME (ROME)

Nigerians resident in Italy has protested the controversial announcement of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the February 25, 2023, presidential election, in the face of alleged failure to secure the constitutional requirements including 25 percent in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.                              

In a press statement, made available to newsmen, the conveners of Obi-Datti Italy March led by Dr. Paul Okoye also chided the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its failure to re-conduct the February 25, 2023 election in the light of discovering malfunctioning of BVAS.                            

Apart from the lead convener, Okoye, the other signatories to the statement were the Secretary, Fidel Wilson; and other various Coordinators viz:: Cheif Alex Ojinkeya; Dr. Prince Alum; Juliet Udunna; Princess Eloson Nwamah; Faraday Ebose; This Omogiate; Patience Ewerioba; Vincent Ihesinulo; Philip Osagie; Richard Adebambo and Kingsley Okpara. 

According to the statement,  INEC should have shifted the 2023 election, as provided in the Electoral Act 2022 to ensure the n-disengage casement of many eligible voters and fulfillment of the law and guidelines.                                                                     

The signatories stated that its objection would help to save Nigerians living and unborn generations, stressing the “world cannot afford to watch Nigeria drift to a point of no return.”                                                                  

The Diasporans’ pro-democracy activists said the protest tagged “Obi-Datti March – SOS: On Democracy, We Stand,” has been brought to the knowledge of the Italian leader, Giorgia Meloni for necessary intervention to ensure justice and deepen democracy in Nigeria.                                                                          

They noted that the resolutions of all cases related to the conduct and outcome of February 25, 2023, Presidential Election before swearing in the incoming President remains necessary given the controversies on certain provisions of both the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Electoral Act, 2022.                                                 

The statement further reads: “Section 134 (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) states that a candidate to emerge as the President, he must have “not less than one-quarter of the votes cast at the election in each of at least two-thirds of all the States in the Federation ‘and’ the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.”

They observed that Chapter 6. Part 1, Section 137, 1(d) as stating clearly that “a person shall be  disqualified if he has a sentence of imprisonment or fine for any offense involving dishonesty or fraud (by whatever name called) or for any other offense, imposed on him by any court or tribunal  or substituted by a competent authority for any other sentence imposed on him by such a court or  tribunal.”

The Obidients as they are formally called also said the call is part of the plans they have in collaboration with the other well-meaning Nigerians resident in Italy to deepen democracy and bring justice to bear on the last Presidential Election,  contending that there is currently a stalemate in Nigeria.                                               

The conveners went on and started; “the electoral law stipulates that where the election is not transmitted in real-time, the election should be canceled and re-conducted within a few days.                                 

The Italy-based Nigerians further condemned the overseas trip of Information Minister, Lai Mohammed who  they accused of accusing Labour Party’s Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi of alleged treason,.and painting his followers commonly known as Obidients

The Obi -Datti supporters also contended that the group has “no faith that Nigeria’s local judges 

would make decisions that conflict with the will of the government.           

 They acknowledged the limits of foreign interference in another sovereign entity, believing that the government of Italy occupies a vital position on the global plane as practitioners and custodians of true democracy.                                           

“Consequently, therefore, we formally appeal to the Italian government under the leadership of Giorgia Meloni to (a)condemn the February 25, 2023, presidential elections in Nigeria on the grounds of widespread irregularities that marred the outcome; (b) mandate the Nigeria government to ensure that the judiciary concludes the 

adjudication process of the election petitions before May 29, 2023, the Swearingin date, among other irregularities surrendering the controversial presidential election.