ACF, Yakasai Greet Tinubu, Task Opponents On Way Forward

Apex northern socio-cultural group Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has congratulated the president- elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory at the polls.

The group said there was no election worldwide that is perfect and urged the aggrieved political parties and candidates in the February 25th Presidential and National Assembly elections to seek redress in court.

ACF, in a statement signed by the secretary-general Aliyu Murtala, said “in spite of the generally positive comments by observers, this election exercise did not pass off without hitches. There were some errors, noticeable ineptitude and avoidable lapses, especially on the part of officials at all levels.

“That said, it has to be admitted no one in good conscience ever thought an exercise as gigantic as conducting a general election in a country of over 200 million people would go without hitches or setbacks. No country under the sun has ever conducted elections that are perfect, without errors. We are after all still early within our learning curve in this democratic experience.

“Anticipating shortcomings, our laws have already provided for judicial mechanisms for resolving or redressing possible disputes and disagreements among the contestants.

“Candidates or their political parties should feel free to use these channels if they believe they have sufficient evidence to prove non substantial compliance with any rules that had hindered their chances.

“While however recognising the right of candidates or their parties to mount legal challenges against the results declared, we feel obliged to offer a note of caution:

“The candidates must not forget that disputed elections in Nigeria, as in much of Africa, have almost always proved to be deadly triggers for strife, violence and even bloodshed. Those who failed to win this time should know that they have several opportunities to try to do so in the future. They should therefore exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship.

Meanwhile, the special adviser to the late First Republic President Shehu Shagari and 98-year-old Tanko Yakasai has congratulated Nigerians for the successful conduct of the presidential election

He called on Tinubu to run an all-inclusive government.

Yakasai stated this in a statement he issued to newsmen in Kano yesterday following the emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate as the winner of the election.

The nonagenarian also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a job well done and the federal government for giving it the needed support.

“To the umpire, I congratulate INEC for the wonderful elections and their resolve to ensure that the will of the majority of the people is always respected and upheld. I charge them to do more during the forthcoming Gubernatorial and state assembly elections.

“To those who contested and lost, I urge you all in the spirit of democratic tenants and our national interest to embrace the outcome and congratulate the winner. As in every election, there has to be a winner and a loser.

“Last but not least, my call is to the winner, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I am sending my congratulations to you for this well-deserved victory and I urge you to run an all-inclusive Government that will give every Nigerian from all parts of the country a sense of belonging.

“This election has shown Democracy is evolving and consolidating in Nigeria and I urge the President-elect to re-introduce the strategy of National Development Plan which is universally accepted as a panacea for Nation Building,” he said.