Presidential Rerun: ‘What Happened Was Not An Election’ – APC Chieftain Digs At LP

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bala Ibrahim, has reacted to the claims by the Labour Party (LP) about a possible presidential election rerun.

Naija News reports that the LP and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, are at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal challenging the declaration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 presidential election.

LP made several allegations against the APC presidential candidate and faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) role before, during and after the polls.

Recently, the Director-General of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, Akin Osuntokun, called for the removal of INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu.

The party also hinted that the ongoing case at the Tribunal may result in a rerun.

Speaking, however, on LP’s speculations and allegations, Ibrahim, a Director of Publicity for the ruling APC, said there could never be a rerun in any election where a winner had been declared.

Mocking the opposition party, Ibrahim said that to LP, what happened on February 25th was never an election but a sham because they lost.

“What do you expect? As far as the Labour Party is concerned, what happened was not an election but a sham because they lost. In a contest, you have to know that there are two outcomes; you either win or lose. If you say you will only accept the result if you win, you are not a good sportsman. Certainly in every election, there has to be a loser and a winner. In this particular election, LP is the loser, but because INEC has declared them the loser, they are calling INEC all sorts of names. Before the election, they signed a peace agreement organised by the same electoral umpire. They recognised INEC and agreed with the terms given by the commission because they thought they would win. Having lost, they are now reneging on the things they agreed on. The call for Prof Mahmood Yakubu’s dismissal is simply the outburst of a loser, and that is how bad losers behave all over the world,” said the APC scribe when asked to speak on his view about Osuntokun’s call for the removal of INEC chairman.

What Rerun Are They Talking About?

Ibrahim, who spoke with The PUNCH on the rumoured reports that the APC is preparing for a presidential rerun as possible fallout of the tribunal, lampooned the Labour Party and those involved in spreading the report.

He said: “I really don’t get it. It looks like LP is still in labour while forgetting that the maternity is already close. How can you have a rerun in an election you have won and have been declared a winner? What election are they talking about? Is it the 2027 election? Of course, there can’t be a rerun in any election where a winner has been announced, inaugurated and its government is being formed. LP should better wake up.

When asked further if he thinks it was wishful thinking as the erstwhile National Secretary of the APC, Senator Iyiola Omisore, described the alleged rerun by the LP, Ibrahim said: “This is beyond wishful thinking; it is a stupid thinking. I can’t even comprehend what they are talking about. It simply means the party is into protracted labour that may result in unwanted fever. An election has been conducted, and a winner has been declared. The government is in the making, and congratulations have come in from all over the world. What are they thinking by mentioning rerun? You can only think about rerun come 2027. That is if at all there will be one. This is an election that has been won free and fair.”

LP Did Not Just Lose, They Came Distant Third

Speaking on whether LP has intel, giving the party confidence of winning the case at the Tribunal or getting a chance for a rerun, the APC chieftain said: “What intel? Don’t forget that these same people were acting on a permutation that a rerun would hold in the run-up to the presidential election. All along, they have been busy on social media saying they would win. Not only did they lose, they came a distant third, not even second. For God’s sake, let’s move on from this issue. These people are just political players on social media, not in reality.

He added: “In my area, there is an adage that says it is not he who kills an antelope but the one who hangs it that bears the brunt more. It was clear that Labour Party lost the election. Instead of directing their anger to Nigerians that rejected them, they are passing the anger to the umpire that acted fairly. The rejection did not come from INEC. It only conducted and announced the result of the election. This Labour Party is not ready for democracy. Let them go back to the drawing board and strategise with a view to meeting the APC come 2027 where we are going to beat them again hands down. Their call for the sacking of the INEC chairman is uncalled for. Simply because you played a football match and lost, will you say definitely the referee must be dismissed? You just have to go back and plan, then come back and play again. If there is anybody you are not happy with, it should be the Nigerians that voted. Go back to them and say you want Nigeria to be given another name.”