Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Northern mouthpiece, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has urged former Vice President and the presidential candidate of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to concede defeat and congratulate the winner of the election, President Muhammadu Buhari, saying that the country must move forward.
This was even as the ACF congratulated Buhari over the victory, and saluted the courage of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for putting up a gallant fight.
This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad, Ibrahim Biu.
“The forum calls on Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of PDP as a committed democrat, who cherishes peaceful democratic transition to accept the will of the people, concede defeat and congratulate President Buhari on his well-deserved victory at the just concluded elections, especially as there is credible evidence that the elections have been generally peaceful, free and fair. Such concession on the part of the main challenger would be in the overall interest of Nigeria and place him among global democrats. ACF equally urges other contestants to be magnanimous in accepting defeat and congratulate their opponents.
“Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), therefore, congratulates all Nigerians for their resilience, commitment, and courage in exercising their civic responsibility amid challenges that are natural concomitant of such tasks and responsibilities. ACF equally congratulates President Muhammadu Buhari on his re-election as the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the just concluded 2019 presidential election. Of equal importance, the ACF salutes the courage of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for putting up a gallantry fight with an impressive performance in the presidential elections.
“The declaration of President Muhammadu Buhari, of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as the president-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC)’s Chief Returning Officer, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, after collating all the election results of 2019 presidential elections received from the 36 states and FCT, and having satisfied the requirements as provided by law has signaled a new regime in our democratic process.
“The journey to this point has not been easy to the contestants, the electorate and other stakeholders. However, with perseverance, resilience, determination and hard work by all in the electoral process, Nigeria has come to this successful end. The 2019 presidential election is another milestone in the nation’s election history in view of the keen contest between the two major contenders.
“The successful conclusion of this election despite some of the ugly incidences witnessed in some parts of country in terms of ballot-box snatching, killings, security challenges and other logistic problems, Nigerians have clearly demonstrated their resolve to move forward and consolidate the gains of multiparty democracy.
“ACF also commends the courage and firmness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under its able Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, for not only the smooth and transparent conduct of the 2019 Presidential and National Assembly elections, but also for its refusal to be intimidated or cajoled by the initial logistic challenges which led to the postponement of the elections by one week and other unfortunate incidences.
“ACF particularly salutes the resilient Nigerians for their personal sacrifices to not only exercised their franchise by voting candidates of their choice but also to ensure that their votes got counted. We equally salute other stakeholders, especially the National Peace Committee of General Abdussalami Abubakar, foreign and domestic election observers and many others for their wise counsel and commitment to peaceful election.
“We also commend the efforts of the security agencies for the difficult tasks of providing security cover to INEC officials, the electorate, foreign and domestic election observers. It was no mean sacrifice and determination coupled with prayers which made the exercise to end peacefully and successfully too. The appeal made by President Buhari to his supporters not to gloat or humiliate the opposition as victory is enough reward for their efforts is timely and appropriate.
“ACF urges all Nigerians to demonstrate the same spirit and commitment in the March 9 governorship and state Assembly elections.
“ACF equally calls on President Buhari to ensure that the new administration keeps to its promise of strengthening our unity and inclusiveness in government, so that no section or group is left behind or left out.”