The Labour Party group led by Lamidi Apapa has urged Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar to congratulate President Tinubu on his victory, drawing a lesson from the Liberian elections, according to a statement made public by the Punch.
Former Vice President Joseph Boakai defeated George Weah. Ellen Sirleaf was the previous president. Despite Boakai’s narrow victory in the fiercely contested election, George Weah, who accepted loss, welcomed the incoming president.
In reaction to the Liberian elections, the Lamidi Apapa led faction through its spokesman Abayomi Arabambi said that elections is not a war that should be won at all cost.
He also used former President Goodluck Jonathan as a reference, saying that he also showed good heartedness when he was defeated during the 2015 elections, as he urged both Obi and Atiku to join forces with Tinubu to rebuild the nation.
He said, “The time is ripe for former Vice-President and PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and former Governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of LP, Mr. Peter Obi to congratulate President Bola Tinubu after they had explored all the opportunities availed by the Constitution and the Electoral Act.
He said, “The incumbent, who in spite of losing his second term as President yesterday did not wait for anyone before he congratulated the winner. As a responsible leader, the former President Goodluck Jonathan also did the same like George Weah, and today he is being reckoned with as a great pillar of democracy.
“Labour Party therefore appeal to Obi’ and Atiku to support the administration and have faith in ongoing reforms. We had expected the duo would bury the hatchet and join hands with the President in delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda. Nigerian leaders should emulate this spirit of sportsmanship.”
