. . . Slams Economist Intelligence Unit over prediction

The Peter Obi/Yusuf Datti Ahmed camp on Monday accused the UK-based Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) of attempting to influence the verdict of the tribunal hearing disputes arising from the February 25, 2023 Nigerian presidential election.

A statement by the Obi-Datti Media Office entitled “EIU jaundiced Report: A transactional work poorly done” dismissed the EIU’s political prediction on the eventual outcome of the 25 February presidential election, titled, “When Brigandage Meets Merchantalism”. It accused EIU of trying the back door to influence the cases lodged against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress by Labour Party’s Peter Obi and Peoples Democratic Party’s Atiku Abubakar.

“We find the report as yet another transactional work poorly done. We are taken aback that after a long silence, it is most appalling that a highly reputed analytical entity will engage in such a counter-intuitive prediction.

“Every foreign and domestic observers’ report classified the election as egregiously flawed. Such contentions are sufficient grounds for the upturning of the election results by the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) as sufficient evidence was provided to prove that the election was substantially flawed and did not meet the acceptable standard for a credible election.

“For the EIU to predict otherwise seems utterly self-serving, and scripted to meet the political needs and aspirations of APC, the possible facilitator of the report,” the statement signed by Diran Onifade, Head Media, Obi-Datti Campaign Organization, said.

It further said: “This EIU prediction is beyond partisan; indeed it is most disturbing and unacceptable.

“By this jaundiced report, the EIU via subterfuge is trying to pre-script a judicial outcome by front-loading its proffered narrative.

“It is clearly obvious that this EIU prediction is a paid-for-advert that canvasses the position of one party among many that vied for the presidential elections.

“Even though the EIU also referred to the APC reform agenda losing momentum, Nigerians are not deceived that such analysis is by any means altruistic, when clearly it is the other way round. It is very doubtful that the EIU would endorse the incredulous and shambolic conduct of INEC, had it happened within the United Kingdom or the European Union territory.

“Attempting to score cheap points with the passive mention of Mr. Tinubu’s low popularity at 37% of 27% voter turnout does not sufficiently capture the widely held view of proven election irregularities like never experienced in Nigeria’s history. Moreover, to opine that the Judiciary would do the unthinkable in the face of proven irregularities while it expects Mr. Tinubu’s reforms agenda to lose momentum, given his fast eroding low-level political capital, goes to show how much value the EIU places on Nigeria as a whole, along with its Judiciary. We reject such a damnable doctrine full of inconsistencies.

“While the EIU presumably might not mind ending up on the wrong side of events, we ask that it should henceforth endeavour to be impartial in its commentaries on Nigeria, or simply put up and shut up.

“Obi-Datti Media Office sees this report as not in the interest of Nigeria and inconsequential to the outcome of cases before their Lordship because they are learned and wise enough to discern Jacob’s hand in Esau’s clothing.

“We, therefore wish to ask EIU to stop staking their reputations by trying to drink from a broken jar which the APC represents in Nigeria’s democracy and endeavour to be impartial in their commentaries and always strive to be on the right side of history and avoid aligning itself with illegal, corrupt and criminal tendencies that harm and destroy our humanity. We urge that it should henceforth endeavour to be impartial in its commentaries on Nigeria.”

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