Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The National Peace Committee, led by former military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has said that it members have met President Muhammadu Buhari, and presented to him, the grievances of People’s Democratic Party candidate, Atiku Abubakar, his major challenger in the recently-concluded presidential election.
Atiku had disagreed with the result as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, vowing to challenge it in court.
INEC had announced Buhari as the winner of the presidential election which held on Saturday, February 23, 2019.
Buhari, polled a total of 15,191,847 to defeat Atiku who garnered 11,262,978 to place second in the poll.
The meeting which started at about 3 pm inside the president’s office, ended at 4 pm.
Also at the meeting were the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev Dr Hassan, Matthew Kukah and Cardinal John Onaiyekan. The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole was also present.
The committee had also met with Atiku and his team, including the PDP Vice Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, the National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus; Director-General of PDP Campaign, Dr. Bukola Saraki and other PDP chieftains on Thursday.
Atiku was said to have demanded: unfreezing of bank accounts of the members of the opposition; demilitarization of subsequent elections; accreditation of voters before voting in subsequent elections; INEC should open its back end server to all participating parties and the release of all politicians detained illegally by the federal government.