Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has been asked to drop his decision to challenge President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory in court.
The plea is coming from a forum made up of chairmen and candidates of 36 political parties who contested for the February 16 presidential election which Buhari was declared as winner.
This was contained in a statement chairman of the forum, Shittu Kabir, read out on behalf of his colleagues at a press conference in Abuja on Monday.
“We have advised the government to be magnanimous in victory. I believe that will be done. We have urged them that irrespective of political party or religion or tribe, the government should pick the best brains across the land and those who can contribute to the development of the country across the nation.
“We strongly urge Alhaji Abubakar to drop the legal option in expressing his grievances. This is consistent with the counsel of many well-meaning Nigerians including Chief Olisa Agbakoba.
“We also believe that the former vice president has made a mark among Nigerians of means who have positively impacted their communities. We think he has a lot more to contribute to developing humanity and promoting peace and progress in our nation, even without holding any political office.
“At his age, he should now avoid any action and utterances capable of fanning the embers of discord, disagreement and violent conduct. Nigeria is greater than any personal or class interest.
“Atiku has his right and nobody can infringe on his right. That is why we have not said he cannot go to court but we are saying he should not go to court.
“Instead of wasting that time and maybe draw our developmental stride backwards, let us give our nation time for development and let the government be focused on providing good governance.
“We need to get the country out of the wood and address national issues instead of diverting the attention of the government by going to court,” he said.
Kabir added that the forum is making efforts to convince the President to sign the Electoral Bill into law with a view to preventing the irregularities, rigging and violence that usually characterised elections in the country.
“If that bill as approved by the National Assembly had been assented by the president, all the litigations and crimes that we are having would been taken care of,” Kabir said.
The forum further called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to improve on its operational logistics next Saturday and ensure that all Nigerians willing to vote are able to exercise their franchise without hindrance.
This is coming as Atiku is said to have already set up a formidable team of legal experts to drag Buhari to court over the outcome of the election.
