Peter Obi falls asleep during presidential election tribunal proceedings in Abuja (Photos) |Omohglobalnews

By Temitope Hassan

The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the February 25 election fell asleep during the proceedings of the presidential tribunal in Abuja.

The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal began the pre-hearing of all the petitions filed before it by different opposition parties seeking to upturn the election of the president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Monday, May 8, 2023.

Obi, who came third in the presidential race, had approached the court to cancel the election, stating that the president-elect and the vice president-elect, Kashim Shettima were not qualified to run for the election.

He was seen at the court moment before the commencement of the pre-hearing, however, a now-viral picture showed him sleeping off during the proceedings.

This has then generated mixed reactions from Nigerians especial social media users.

Many questioned why a presidential candidate would allow himself to doze off, especially when his own followers had previously criticized Tinubu for similar incidents, claiming they were signs of poor health.

While some others defended Obi’s momentary lapse and argued that sleep deprivation and exhaustion are common challenges faced by individuals in high-stress roles.

@Maidariya01 said; “🤣🤣🤣 Ada ooo..

The guy don taya, but him no wan give up cos he is afraid not to fall the hands of his followers.

@NdubuisiKaluOr1 wrote; “He was pressing his phone oooo, our national chairman way de look the same direction is also sleeping naa abi🤣😂.”

@AY_ikeja said; “Sleeping already at d tribunal ds morning…..young and energetic Peter Obi 😎.”

@sirjante said; “Tribunal never start e don dey sleep. Sleeping mandate indeed. This man need rest. When the President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu went on vacation after the gruesome election, Dcn Peter Obi claim he do not have to rest. He’s now in court sleeping over 25% in FCT, Apapa see o.”

@ElochukwuOhagi wrote; “This man must be sleeping or dreaming. President Buhari, at his time, went to Tribunal severally. Legal tussle is approved way of seeking redress arising from flawed elections. You are on your own. Pursue you goal without making Peter Obi the hindrance to you.”