Tony Okafor, Awka
A group, Peter Obi Vanguard (POV) has enjoined Nigerians not joined any protest over the declaration of Alhaji Ahmed Bola Tinubu as the winner of February 25 presidential election.
In a telephone interview with our correspondent on Wednesday, the convener of the group, King Mario, confirmed authorship of a statement in circulation in that respect.
He said the decision not to protest was taken to avoid a hijack of the protest by enemies to unleash mayhem on innocent citizens.
The statement read partly, “It has become very important that I make this written address. Following the INEC’s declaration of the winner of the 2023 Presidential Election. It was not unexpected and we are neither surprised nor are we perturbed by the emergence of the APC candidate, as declared by the INEC.
“They have expectations and a grand plan. Hence, this declaration was done at about 4.00.am on Wednesday 1st of March 2023. We must not prove them right in their calculations about us. They want Nigerians to wake up to the known news and react. No! No!! No!!! Reactions to their expectations shall be given to them.
” I urge you to resist every temptation to lead or join any protest. They will hijack it and use it against us. It will mean giving them another opportunity to kill and reduce our number. No blood of a true Nigerian is worth their desperation.
“We are more in number, more intelligent, and more informed, we are even better at the use of the technology they have used. The whole thing is clear even to the blind. The thuggery, molestation, threats, and worst are instances when security personnel aided and abetted them. The supposed umpire, INEC showed itself compromised by not adhering strictly to its set out regulations.
“Our arguments are simple and unambiguous thus; Do you change the rules of the game in the middle of the game?
” The INEC through its electoral act stated as follows; No PVC, NO Voting – INEC please review to see that this was vehemently contravened. No BVAS Accreditation, No Voting – INEC please verify. Results shall be uploaded in real-time, and from the polling units. This was not done.
“When the INEC reverted to the manual collation of results, people called for review she preferred they should seek redress according to the law, INEC has left the ambiance of the law.”
The statement added, “The truth is that the contradictions in this election are numerous and only leave the common man with no hope or faith in this nation.
“Evil has no future and cannot stand the test of time. We are determined to take back our country, without allowing a repetition of the “Lekki Toll Gate” experience. The people we are up against have no values talk more of having for human lives.
“The devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy. They have done these to us in the last 4 days. They stole our votes and used correction fluid to destroy the people’s will which was demonstrated at the polls. Then they used INEC to complete their mission to kill.
“When the Jewish people, the Pharisees, and the elders killed Jesus Christ, they thought that it was over. On the third, Jesus Christ rose triumphantly from the grave. Our third day is coming, don’t ask me when. Though it may tarry, wait for it, it must come to pass.
The group hailed all that contributed to the struggle, especially “the every resilient Obidients”, and urged them not to despair or discourage, urging them to troop out en masse in the March 11 for governorship and Houses of Assembly polls and vote for Labour Party candidates to so that opponents would not justify their claims “that we couldn’t have gotten the kind of votes required to win the Presidential election.”
The statement added,”Finally, smile at yourself and refused to be downcast or allow your face abashed. It will not be long before they will start fighting in-house and betray themselves to us. Then the truth will come out. Relax, God is in control.”
