Politics
Although INEC has declared the presidential candidate of the ruling APC as the winner of the February 25 presidential contest, the Labour Party has assured Nigerians, especially millions of Nigerian youths that it is heading to the courts to upturn the declaration of the presidential election and rescue the nation from anarchy.
By Goddy Ikeh
MILLIONS of Nigerians woke up on Wednesday morning to hear the shocking news that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had at about 4am declared the presidential candidate of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the winner of the February 25 presidential poll.
However, it was good news for the ruling APC and its supporters, but it was a shocker for over 30 million Nigerian youths as well as the supporters of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, LP, among other supporters of 15 parties that participated in the election.
Reports from major Nigerian cities and states showed that it was a day of mourning for the opposition, while it was celebrations for the supporters of the APC.
There are also reported pockets of protests in some states, especially in the South East and Abuja. The fears expressed by the youths who trooped out in large numbers to use their votes to rescue the nation, which according to them is not working for every Nigerian and was heading towards anarchy.
But the governorship candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in Lagos, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has assured the youths that the LP would be heading to the courts to reclaim the party’s presidential mandate. Addressing the supporters of the party in Lagos on Wednesday, Rhodes-Vivour said that the LP polled over 900,000 votes in the presidential poll as against the lower figure allotted to the party by INEC and urged the party supporters to come out in large numbers to vote in the gubernatorial election on March 11 and urged them not to be demoralized by the declaration of the result by INEC. He also assured them of adequate security during the forthcoming polls, unlike what happened during the presidential election.
Reacting to the declaration of the result by INEC, President Muhammadu Buhari congratulated Bola Tinubu for winning the 2023 presidential election.
In his congratulatory message, Buhari said: “I congratulate His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory. Elected by the people, he is the best person for the job. I shall now work with him and his team to ensure an orderly handover of power.
“The election was Africa’s largest democratic exercise. In a region that has undergone backsliding and military coups in recent years, this election demonstrates democracy’s continued relevance and capability to deliver for the people it serves.
“Within Nigeria, the results reveal democracy’s ripening in our country. Never has the electoral map shifted so drastically in one cycle.
“In the presidential elections, states in all regions across the nation changed colour.
”There is no doubt the people’s decision has been rendered in the results we look at today,” he said.
The Nigerian leader acknowledged that there were technical problems with electronic transmission of the results and maintained that efforts would be intensified to bring further transparency and credibility to the voting procedure in the country.
“That is not to say the exercise was without fault. For instance, there were technical problems with electronic transmission of the results.
”Of course, there will be areas that need work to bring further transparency and credibility to the voting procedure.
“However, none of the issues registered represent a challenge to the freeness and fairness of the elections,’’ he said.
According to Buhari, some politicians and candidates may not agree with this view and that if any candidate believes they can prove the fraud they claim is committed against them, then they should bring forward the evidence.
”If they cannot, then we must conclude that the election was indeed the people’s will – no matter how hard that may be for the losers to accept. If they feel the need to challenge, please take it to the courts, not to the streets.
“However, to do the latter means they are not doing it in the interest of the people, but rather to inflame, to put people in harm’s way and all for personal, selfish gains,” he added.
He, however, enjoined all the candidates to abide by the peace accord they signed before the conduct of the election, urging them to always avoid any action capable of undermining the credibility of INEC.
”I call on all the candidates to remember the peace pledge they signed just days before the election.
”Do not undermine the credibility of INEC. Let us now move forward as one. The people have spoken,” he concluded.
In his speech after the declaration of the result by INEC, the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, stated that he was profoundly humbled that he has been elected to serve as the 16th President of Nigeria.
Speaking at the APC Presidential Campaign Council headquarters in Abuja shortly after he was declared the winner of the presidential poll on Wednesday, Tinubu said: “This is a shining moment in the life of any man and affirmation of our democratic existence. From my heart, I say thank you.”
“You decided to place your trust in the democratic vision of a Nigeria founded on shared prosperity and one nurtured by the ideals of unity, justice, peace and tolerance. Renewed hope has dawned in Nigeria.
“We commend INEC for running a free and fair election. The lapses that did occur were relatively few in number and were immaterial to the final outcome. With each cycle of elections, we steadily perfect this process so vital to our democratic life.
“Today, Nigeria stands tall as the giant of Africa. It shines even brighter as the continent’s biggest democracy.
“I thank all who supported my campaign. From President Buhari who adeptly led my campaign as its chairman, to my Vice Presidential Candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima.
“To the progressive governors of our party and this nation, to the party leadership, to our loyal party members. I owe you a debt of gratitude. To the entire campaign organisation, I thank you sincerely.
“I thank my loving wife and dear family whose support was ceaseless and inspiring. Without you, this victory would not be possible,” he said.
“Finally, I thank the Nigerian people for their abiding belief in our democracy. I shall be a fair leader to all Nigerians. I will be in tune with your aspirations, charge up your energies and harness your talents to deliver a nation that we can be proud of.
“To my fellow candidates, former VP Atiku, former governor Kwankwaso, former governor Obi and all others, I extend the hand of friendship. This was a competitive, high-spirited campaign. You have my utmost respect,” he added.
KN
Tags: Bola Ahmed Tinubu Goddy Ikeh INEC
