Protesters fault calls for interim govt, insist on Tinubu
Backs INEC chairman’s stay in office
Protesters under the aegis of The Natives have faulted calls for an interim government being suggested by groups and individuals, who feel the 2023 general elections were flawed and should be cancelled.
Led by Smart Edwards, its leader, the group, staged a peaceful march in Abuja, in support of Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu-led Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its decision to announce All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Tinubu, as president-elect.
In the presidential election results announced by Yakubu, Tinubu beat Atiku Abubakar of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of Labour Party (LP) to emerge winner. But Atiku and Obi are contesting the results of the election, alleging a flawed process and electoral fraud.
Applauding the conduct of the poll, the group contended that members of the opposition political parties lacked the moral latitude to call for the outright cancellation of the results of the presidential poll.
They called on the international community and well-meaning Nigerians to resist the alleged subterranean plot by the opposition to undermine democratic rule in the country.
Edwards, who led the procession from the precincts of the presidential villa to the INEC headquarters in Abuja, called on the opposition to accept the outcome of the presidential poll.
He noted: “No mandate was stolen. It was either you (opposition parties) did not network with your people and Nigerians well, or your people did anti-party against you. Today, we have witnessed PDP suspending its National Chairman, the man, who campaigned for the party. That is also a democracy.
“It is our turn, the Natives of Nigeria, to see a better Nigeria. It is our turn to see a working Nigeria. It is our turn to see a democracy that works. It is our turn to advance the country as Patriots. Today, we are declaring that no mandate was stolen. INEC performed creditably and the election was free and fair. The election saw New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) winning election in Kano State. APC, though, challenging the outcome but has decided to go to court. That is democracy.”
While responding to the call for interim government by a protesting group recently, Edwards said: “Those calling for interim government are jokers because when Ernest Shonekan was brought in, the people rejected it.”
Africa’s base for democracy is Nigeria. Other Nations in Africa are learning from Nigeria.
“So, what I am saying is that the Natives of Nigeria are of all tribes and colouration. It is impossible for anybody to attempt an interim government. President Muhammadu Buhari has spoken clearly and that is why we came out today in solidarity of what the President said, that he will handover to Tinubu.”
