The US Department of the Interior has granted supporters of Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi permission to use a park to protest the outcome of the February 25 presidential election.
The permit allows approximately 100 protesters to converge on the iconic Lafayette Park in front of the White House in Washington D.C. on Monday, April 3, between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. The park, which is located across the street from the White House, is a significant landmark in American history.
“We in the diaspora are demonstrating to call the attention of the U.S. government and Biden administration not to recognise the winner,” the organisers said.
The US authorities said the organisers and anyone at the protest must “comply with all reasonable directions of the United States Park Police.”
The protesters were warned that “all sideways, walkways and roadways must remain unobstructed to allow for reasonable use of these areas by pedestrians, vehicles and other park visitors.”
The protest is organized by the Nigerian American Coalition for Justice and Democracy Inc., a pro-Obi group. According to a document obtained by The Quest Times, the protest was organized by Franklin Ekechukwu.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Bola Tinubu the winner of the presidential election on March 1.
Ekechukwu said: “Nigerian election was conducted on February 25, the institution that conducted the election did not follow their guideline nor rule of law in accordance with democratic principles. We in the diaspora are demonstrating to call the attention of the U.S. government and Biden administration to not recognise the projected winner.”
Reacting, the All Progressives Congress in America (APC-USA) in a statement by its Chairman, Prof. Tai Balofin, said: “We wish to inform the public that a group of the Nigerian election losers are currently protesting at the park in front of the White House. It is important to note that the U.S. government is not involved or in support of the protest, as anybody can get approval for a peaceful protest.
“We also wish to state that this protest is sponsored by Obi, who lost the election in Nigeria. It is our belief that the presidential election was free and fair, and Asiwaju Tinubu won the election. The majority of Nigerian voters gave him their mandate, and no propaganda, manipulation or tissue of lies can stop his inauguration.
“The APC in the United States of America assures Nigerians not to be perturbed by the actions of the protesters. We have mobilised true Nigerians to come out in support of their mandate, and we believe that the protesters will not succeed in their mission to disrupt the peace and stability of Nigeria.
“The opposition who lost will meet the winner at the protest ground. We urge all Nigerians to remain calm and peaceful, as we believe that justice will prevail, and the mandate of the Nigerian people will be respected,” he stated.