Don’t Say Things If You Don’t Have Evidence — Rufai Tells Peter Obi

Arise News anchor, Rufai Oseni, has criticised Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi over his claim that he won the 2023 presidential election despite acknowledging that he has no evidence to prove it.

Obi made the comments during a recent interview with BBC Africa while discussing his claim that the 2023 election was rigged.

When asked whether he had evidence to prove that he won the election, Obi acknowledged that there was no evidence, but maintained that he believed he won the poll.

Reacting to the comments, Oseni challenged Obi to substantiate his claim, questioning whether the former Anambra State governor had conducted detailed analysis of election results to support his position.

Oseni asked where Obi’s data, spreadsheets and back-end collation supporting the claim were, stressing that public statements about electoral victory should be supported by evidence.

He said Obi should not make claims that he could not substantiate, arguing that doing so could affect how seriously his statements were taken.

The journalist also questioned the basis for Obi’s continued assertion that he won the election after his legal challenges to the declared results were unsuccessful.

The 2023 presidential election was won by Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, according to the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission. Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party came second, while Obi, who contested under the Labour Party, finished third.

Obi and Atiku challenged the outcome before the Presidential Election Petition Court, but their petitions were dismissed. The Supreme Court subsequently upheld the election result.

Obi has continued to maintain that he won the election and that the result did not reflect the wishes of Nigerians.

His latest comments have renewed debate over the evidence behind claims concerning the 2023 election, particularly as political parties and opposition figures begin preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Oseni’s intervention has also drawn attention to the importance of evidence and verifiable data when public figures make claims about disputed electoral outcomes.