The Peoples Democratic Party Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has been urged to withdraw his case against the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the February 2023 presidential election.
The 2023 Labour Party governorship aspirant in Plateau, Chief Yohanna Margif, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja.
He also urged the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who is also challenging Tinubu’s victory in the tribunal, to do the same.
The LP stalwart said that the call on Obi and Abubakar became necessary in order to foster national unity and integration.
“The new leadership of Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu has shown capacity to lead and improve the nation’s fortunes without fear or favour, which is crystal clear and visible within just four weeks in office.
“With is happening in Nigeria in the recent past, ranging from insecurity to unemployment and religious intolerance, it is critical to embark on a project of national unity and integration.
“This will ease the burdens and wounds caused by the outgone administration and enable Tinubu to sail the ship called the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the promised land.”
Margif lauded Abubakar and Obi for taking their case against the election to the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal instead of resorting to unconstitutional means.
According to him, such is in line with the spirit of democracy, sportsmanship, patriotism, national unity and integration.
“The electioneering campaigns have come and gone, leaving behind the unsettled dust at the PEPT, where both Abubakar and Peter Obi are challenging the outcome of the election won by Tinubu.
“This is democracy, and everyone has the right to be heard, but that notwithstanding, I wish to applaud the presidential candidates of all political parties for the peaceful conduct during the elections.
“Also for seeking legal redress over conflict, which is the virtue and spirit of sportsmanship.
“However, I call on both Obi and Abubakar to sheath their swords by withdrawing their cases at the tribunal for the sake of national unity and integration,” he said.
Margif, who described himself as an Ambassador of Peace, stressed that Tinubu’s emergence as President was God’s will and choice for Nigeria.
“Today, what all Nigerians are looking for is good governance and dividends of democracy and, as it stands, President Tinubu is already on the right track to economic recovery and nation-building.
“In my opinion, Tinubu is the will of God and we must accept it because, while I, for instance, voted for Obi; some voted for Abubakar, others voted for Tinubu but the outcome of the election favoured Tinubu.
“Personally, regardless of my litigation against LP’s Plateau State Chapter and the National Executive Councils pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja, I’m willing to withdraw the case and forgive all.
“As such, I also suggest that Obi and the LP, as well as Abubakar and the PDP, should do the same in the interest of national integration,” he said.
Margif, who was elected as the LP’s governorship candidate for Plateau but whose name was later substituted with that of Dr Patrick Dakum, also called on Tinubu to form a government of national unity and integration.
He said that one common thing among all the candidates, the political parties and their manifestos during the general elections was their emphasis on national unity and integration.
According to the LP stalwart, Nigeria’s unity and integration is the strength of the nation.
He urged the Tinubu presidency to ensure that it leverages the Renewed Hope mantra to usher in a new Nigeria that is in line with the dreams of the nation’s founding fathers.
“I, therefore, appeal to President Tinubu to consider and put national unity and integration above all by forming a government of national unity and integration.
“The leadership of the ‘Renewed Hope’ administration should also consider a platform that will include women and youth in governance,.
“It should also ensure that it designs and establishes enduring youth-based national policies,” Margif said.
