The Forum of Presidential Candidates and Political Parties for Good Governance has advised Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to drop his proposed legal option in expressing his grievances in the just-concluded elections.
The group made this appeal on Monday in Abuja at a press conference in reaction to Atiku’s move to challenge the outcome of the recently held Presidential election in the court.
Shittu Mohammed Kabir, leader of the group, who spoke to newsmen, urged Atiku to disregard the advice of those asking him to seek redress in court following the alleged irregularities and discrepancies that were noticed during the conduct of the election.
He stated that the former vice president had made a mark among Nigerians of means who had positively impacted on their communities.
Kabir said: “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.”
He said that it was obvious that only one candidate would emerge as President and therefore asked all the candidates to support President Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, the eventual winner of the election.
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He noted that the pattern of voting, the large turn-out and country-wide endorsement of Buhari attested to the fact that Nigerians were pleased with him, his style of leadership and performance in the last three and half years.
According to him, “It is on record that this forum engaged the press in the last three months to plead for caution in pursuit of our objective, to ensure that we play politics without violence, intemperate language and acrimony. We are absolutely committed to this vision, even when elections have been won and lost for the highest position in the land.”
Many Nigerians have advised Atiku, including Chief Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) and General Ibrahim Babangida to shelve the court option.
PDP had accused Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of conniving with the ruling APC to rig Atiku, its candidate, out of the election.
The party said the figures announced by INEC did not tally, alleging that the election was compromised.
