Coalitions Fault Calls For Cancellation Of 2023 Polls, Interim Govt

A pro-democracy and civil society organisations, Coalition for a Better Nigeria (CAB) has condemned the call for the cancellation of the February 25 Presidential election. 

The coalition also lambasted those advocating for an interim government at the end of the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari on May 29. 

LEADERSHIP reports that the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu won the keenly contested election.

The group said those calling for the cancellation of the Presidential election or interim government were the real enemies of democracy in Nigeria, insisting that Tinubu’s victory was irreversible. 

Addressing a World Press Conference yesterday in Abuja, convener of the coalition and Pro – June 12 activist, Comrade Awa Bamiji, said the group was out to protect the hard-earned democracy in Nigeria by ensuring a smooth transition of power on May 29.

He said the group would continue the rally until the former Lagos State governor was sworn-in so that the mandate “freely given by Nigerians to Tinubu” at the poll was not jeopardised. 

Bamiji called on the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and that of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, to concede defeat and accept the olive branch already extended to them by Tinubu who was declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). 

He said: “Our members are mostly Pro-Democracy activists in and outside Nigeria for a better Nigeria. We will not leave this Unity Fountain until President-elect Ahmed Tinubu is inaugurated on May 29. 

“We organise this news conference to let people know about efforts being made by the Coalition towards the successful inauguration of the new President on May 29. 

“This group is saying no to the interim government. This is the constituency that produced the President today and so there is no way we could support the cancellation of the February 25 Presidential election or the formation of an Interim Government.

“It’s no retreat, no surrender until May 29 inauguration becomes a reality. We are better experienced with the bitter experience of the June 12 election annulment, exactly 30 years ago coupled with modern technology. 

“After going to the Tribunal, they both became nuisance and their long enduring civil disobedience has just taken another dimension with our intervention.”

He maintained that Tinubu is a foremost leader in the international community of civil society and has remained firm in defense of democracy in Nigeria. 

“Like I said, we are fully prepared for his inauguration,” he added.