The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, in the just concluded presidential election, Peter Obi, Thursday, said he won the election and will explore all legal options to reclaim his mandate.

Obi, during his first media appearance in Abuja after the result of the election was announced, vowed to challenge the process, adding that the only way for peace in the country is justice.

“We will explore all legal and peaceful option to reclaim our mandate. We won the election and we will prove it to Nigerians. I am challenging the process.

“We have been asked to go to the court, is that not what they said? Lets go there remember that I am obedient, I am going to go where I am directed to go and then you will see where and how.”

“In 2015, the number of registered voters is about 67m and 29.4 voted; in 2019, that tally increased to about 84 million and about 28.4 million voted; and we were told that about 11 million registered in 2022, which brought the registration to about 95 but 87million collected their PVC, but only 23.3million voted. That is how Nigeria works.

“We have increase of 11million, but the voters dropped by sharply over 20%. The reason is due to manipulation, reduction and removal and input of votes here and there.”

Obi commenced the briefing with a one-minute silence for all injured and deceased victims of the February 25 poll.

While asking his supporters to go about their activities peacefully, the former Governor of Anambra said he’s challenging the process because their can’t be peace on a faulty foundation.

“Let me say it again, I have asked people to go about peacefully, I believe in a very peacefully Nigeria, I have received several phone calls and have asked people to go about peacefully.

“There can’t be peace on a faulty foundation, the foundation has to be right for peace. This is what I am challenging as this is about the future of the coming generation.”

He effusively thanked his youthful followers known as ‘Obidients’, urging them not to be deterred by the outcome of the polls.

“We will work for that new Nigeria that is possible,” he said. “Datti and I remain committed to that new Nigeria.

“For me, it is a very simple thing to speak to Nigerians who, on the 25th of February trooped out en mass, as committed citizens to participate in the election, supposedly for a free, fair, credible presidential and national assembly election.

“Gratitude to Nigerians who participated in the elections as true citizen in out dear country. Gratitude to all Nigerians especially the youth that believed and worked tirelessly for a new Nigeria and I believe that new Nigeria is possible. Datti and I are committed to that new Nigeria. I know how you are feeling now because of the way the election has come and gone.”

He said the poll did not meet the minimum standard for a free and fair election, adding that the poll will go down as the most controversial election conducted in Nigeria.

Obi lamented that Nigeria cannot conduct election 63 years after independence.

Obi distanced himself from a release which has gone viral on the social media, asking people to occupy offices of the Independent National electoral Commission, INEC.

“I have never directly or indirectly spoken or released any message since after voting on the 25^th. My last comment in the media was after voting on the 25^th and I have never done so until now. This is my first time of speaking, coming out to the media.