Following the Supreme Court judgement affirming the election victory of President Bola Tinubu, candidates of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, and that of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi, have been urged not to run away from the country.
Recall that on Thursday, the apex court had dismissed all the appeals of Messrs Abubakar and Obi which challenged Mr Tinubu’s victory at the 2023 polls.
Reacting to the judgement, the Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiatives, CGGCI, urged the opposition candidates to join hands with the President to move the country forward.
Speaking during a unity rally to celebrate the President’s victory at the court, the National Coordinator of the group, Okpokwu Ogenyi, called on all Nigerians to join them in the Renewed Hope Agenda and trust the government to lead Nigeria into a promised land.
The group, in company of thousands of supporters of the ruling APC, matched in celebration around the Eagle Square to the Supreme Court, holding various banners and placards thanking the judiciary for the verdict.
Mr Ogenyi said: “The judiciary has done an exceptional job by delivering the soundest judgement ever in the history of election petition in Nigeria by strengthening critical issues of legal dichotomy, democracy has indeed won.”
According to Mr Ogenyi, Mr Abubakar as a former Vice President and Peter Obi as a former governor should not hesitate to give appropriate advice devoid of politics and self-aggrandizement.
“They should continue to reign on their supporters to embrace peace and tranquility.
“This victory is dedicated God the Father and to the less privileged people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who voted and vehemently defended their votes believing in the capacity of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the man anointed by God to take Nigeria to the promise land.
“We are here today to celebrate the victory of democracy, social justice, equity and fairness.
“To us, the judiciary has done an exceptional job by delivering the most sound judgement ever in the history of election petition in Nigeria, by strengthening critical issues of legal dichotomy, democracy has indeed won.
“To the National Chairman of the governing All Progressives Congress, APC, His Excellency Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, you have done well.
“Within your few months in the office, the APC is winning in all angle, your resilience in repositioning the party has added value to our democracy and has thus contributed in no small measure, the dividends of democracy to Nigerians.
“We wish to reiterate and call on all those who participated in the last Presidential election are welcome to join the new Nigeria of our dream, an egalitarian Nation where peace and justice shall reign.
“We specifically single out the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, not to abandon Nigeria.
“It is our opinion that they should stay back and contribute meaningfully to the project Nigeria. We believe that as citizens of Nigeria one must not become a president or vice president before he or she can make meaningful contribution to the development of our Nation.
“For now, the struggle for political power has ended for the duo but that does not mean they do not have opportunity in future. Therefore, before the said future will come there is need to cooperate with the incumbent and ensure that we all succeed together as a Nation.
“It is a fact that when rain falls it will not fall only on the land of APC members but both PDP and LP members will benefit. The road and other infrastructure to be buit by this administration will be travelled on by all. We are brothers and sisters.
“The achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not be enjoyed by only APC members but both PDP and LP members will partake. In fact, all Nigerians will rejoice at the end that Tinubu happen to Nigeria.”
While congratulating Mr Tinubu and all his supporters, the group urged Nigerians to see the victory as the will of God.
“We call on all Nigerians to join us in the Renewed Hope Agenda and trust this government to lead us into a promised land.
“Once again, we congratulate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his vice Kashim Shettima, the National Chairman of the APC, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the Chief Justice of Nigeria Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola and all the judges and lawyers who participated in one way or the other in making Nigeria great again,” Mr Ogenyi said.
