The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the February 25 presidential poll, Mr Peter Obi, has urged his supporters to keep hope alive, saying that the Wednesday judgment by the Presidential Election Petitions (PEPC) should not weigh them down.
The former Anambra State Governor stated this in a statement made available to journalists on Saturday.
Obj also encouraged his supporters not to be disappointed by the judgment, saying that the move to reclaim his ‘mandate’ is a marathon and not a sprint.
According to Obi, his supporters should be aware that the “forces we are up against are entrenched and formidable but not insurmountable”.
He then said, “They would resist the wind of change and try to push us into surrender or despair. We must not succumb to their design.
“Understandably, there has been a note of general disappointment within our fold and indeed the general population of Nigerians who hoped that the outcome of the February 25 presidential election would usher in a new and different Nigeria of our dreams.
“That dream has only been deferred for now but remains alive for all times.
“Since the tribunal’s verdict, there has been a note of general despair among Obidients and the generality of our supporters. Let me assure us all that on this journey, despair or surrender are not our options.
“Today, I want to personally reach out and encourage you all to keep hope alive. Considering the challenges that lie ahead of us as a movement, despair is not an option.
“Nothing good in life comes easy. Throughout history, positive change comes only with sacrifice, perseverance, resilience and fluctuating fortunes.
“Right from the onset of our journey, I told you that the journey upon which we were about to embark was not a short sprint but a long and tough marathon. It was always going to be difficult, painful and excruciating.”
