Peter Obi’s Port Harcourt Speech a ‘Call to Duty,’ Not Threat for Violence- Sen. Victor Umeh
Senator Victor Umeh has said that the speech of the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi during a campaign visit in Port Harcourt, Rivers State was a “call to duty” and not an incitement to election violence.
Senator Umeh who represents Anambra Central in the Senate spoke on Monday while featuring on Channels TV programme, Morning Brief.
Obi while addressing party faithful in Port Harcourt had said, “Our votes this time must count, and whoever doesn’t count it, we will count the person.”
Umeh who was reacting to a recent warning issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stated that Peter Obi’s statement was intended alert the electoral empire and stakeholders in the electoral process to ensure that “ the right thing” was done to avoid any mishap during the 2027 general election.
He said:
“I think the statement he made is not extreme. It is not inciting in any form. He merely stated what the Nigerian electorate will be expecting in 2027.”
“There will be no room for fraud or manipulation of election results, if taken further, it is a call on the electoral umpire to ensure that what will come out of that process will be genuine and real.”
Senator further reiterated that Obi’s statement should be seen as “a call to patriotic duty to the electoral commission to ensure that they don’t create a situation where people will doubt the results they will declare.”
“So, whether he says the people will count the votes or we count them is a call to duty and awakening the consciousness of everybody to help to protect the sanctity of the ballot box,” Umeh reaffirmed.
Senator Umeh called on both INEC and politicians to ensure the conduct of a credible election as that is the only way the breakdown of law and order could be avoided. According to him, “if you want to prevent anarchy, the best way to go about it is by doing what is right.”
“When you manipulate and give false results, you are the one inviting the anarchy not Peter Obi, who is saying that the right thing should be done,” Umeh concluded.