The presidential candidate of the Labour Party at the February 25 general elections, Peter Obi, on Monday, explained his absence at the Supreme Court, saying he was unable to attend due to a pre-arranged international commitment.

The former governor of Anambra State made this known at the World Press Conference held at the LP campaign headquarters in Abuja.

He said, “About a fortnight ago, I was traveling abroad on a prior scheduled engagement when I received the notice that the Supreme Court would give judgment on 26th October 2023 on our challenge to the ruling of the Presidential Election Petitions Court. That judgment has since been delivered as scheduled.

“The leadership of the Labour Party has already pronounced its position on the judgment. As someone who has previously benefited from the rulings of the Supreme Court on electoral matters, I have, after a period of deep and sober reflection, decided to personally and formally react to the recent judgment as most Nigerians have. Because we are confronted with very weighty issues of national interest, I will speak forthrightly.”

Also, Peter Obi, has said the Supreme Court judgment dashed the hopes of a majority of Nigerians by sacrificing justice for political expediency.

The LP standard bearer, however, said as democrats, he, the vice presidential candidate, Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed, have exhausted all legal means to challenge the 2023 general elections.

Peter Obi noted that the party is now ready to take the message of a new Nigeria to the grassroots.

On Thursday, October 26, the Supreme Court upheld President Bola Tinubu’s victory.

The court held that the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate was the valid winner of the presidential election that held on February 25.

But LP, PDP and many Nigerians have rejected this ruling.

Obi accused the apex court of ignoring evidence which he said further dampens citizens’ trust in the judiciary.

“Without equivocation, this judgment amounts to a total breach of the confidence the Nigerian people have in our judiciary. To that extent, it is a show of unreasonable force against the very Nigerian people from whom the power of the Constitution derives,” Obi said during a world press conference at the LP National Headquarters in Abuja on Monday.

“This Supreme Court ruling may represent the state of the law in 2023 but not the present demand for substantive justice. The judgment mixed principles and precepts. Indeed, the rationale and premise of the Supreme Court judgment, have become clearer in the light of the deep revealing and troubling valedictory remarks by Hon. Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad, (JSC) on Friday 27th October 2023.”

Despite the Supreme Court verdict, Obi told his supporters that the quest for a new Nigeria has not ended.

“Where the value and import of the recent Supreme Court ruling ends is where our commitment to a New Nigeria begins. Our mission and mandate remain unchanged. From the very onset, our mission has been more about enthroning a new Nigeria,” the LP presidential candidate added.

“It is a new nation where things work, where the country is led from its present waste and consumption orientation to a production-driven economy. Our commitment is to a nation anchored on the principles of prudent management of resources to quickly pull millions out of multidimensional poverty, ensuring transparency and accountability in the equitable distribution of opportunities, resources, and privileges.

“In the new Nigeria, we aim to address all unmet needs by showing compassion for all those left behind by the present system.”

He added that; “The energy of Nigerian youths has been amazing and I want to assure them that this is not the end of our journey but it is the beginning

“We shall endure, persist until we reaches our destination because one Nigeria is our destination.”