Nigerian literary icon, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has categorically said that Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP, did not win the 2023 presidential election as he is claiming.
According to Soyinka, Obi only came third in the election, not even second.
Recalls that the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, PEPT, on Wednesday last week, upheld the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but his challengers have vowed to proceed to the Supreme Court.
Tinubu’s victory was challenged by Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who came second in the election, and third-placed Peter Obi of the Labour Party.
While Peter Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State is claiming to have won the polls, Soyinka said the former governor did not even finish second.
“In the recent election, two things happened first of all. One party took over the Labour movement which is one of my favourite movements also,” he said in a viral interview on X.
“Then it became a regional party… whereas it was a marvellous bridge into the established two camps. Peter Obi achieved something remarkable there that he broke that mold. Yes.
“But, however, he did not win that election. I was in a monitoring organisation. I can say categorically that Peter Obi’s party came third not even second and the leadership knew it.
“But they want to do what we call in Yoruba ‘gbajue’, that is force of lies…’
“They’re going to send some of the hardliners, crowds, young people to the streets to demonstrate.
“I’m always ready to be part of such demonstrations but only on the banner of truth.”
