The APC Presidential Campaign Council has criticised former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his renewed claim that he won the 2023 presidential election, questioning the basis of the assertion in light of the officially declared results and subsequent court judgments.
In a statement issued by its spokesman, Dele Alake, the Council described Obi’s remarks as troubling, arguing that claims about electoral victory should be supported by verifiable evidence rather than personal conviction.
The Council’s reaction followed Obi’s recent interview with the BBC, during which he reportedly maintained that he won the 2023 presidential election while acknowledging that he had no evidence to support the claim.
“I don’t like going back to the past. I won the last election. There’s no evidence, but I won the election. Everything is not based on evidence,” Obi was quoted as saying.
The APC Campaign Council faulted the remarks, arguing that public figures, particularly those seeking the presidency, have a responsibility to make claims that are consistent with verifiable facts.
It maintained that Obi’s insistence that he won the election, despite the official outcome, raised questions about his approach to political accountability and public discourse.
The Council also reiterated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was declared the winner of the 2023 presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with the outcome subsequently upheld by the presidential election tribunal and the Supreme Court.
According to the statement, the official declaration and judicial decisions remain the established legal outcome of the election.
The Council further defended the Tinubu administration, citing its ongoing economic reforms and efforts in infrastructure development, business support, youth empowerment, education, healthcare and job creation.
It argued that the administration’s performance should be assessed through its policies, programmes and measurable outcomes.
The statement also revisited Obi’s reported pledge to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race if it was established that his administration in Anambra State had left behind financial liabilities.
The Council challenged the former Anambra State governor to honour that pledge, alleging that the state’s financial records had established the existence of such liabilities.
The APC Presidential Campaign Council urged political leaders to engage in public debate with respect for evidence, institutional decisions and accountability, particularly as political activities ahead of the 2027 general election gather momentum.
