One of the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2023 Presidential Campaign Support group, Alhaji Abdulwahab Korede Quadri, Fcib, has berated Labour Party’s Presidential Candidate in the last February 25 General elections, Mr. Peter Obi, for condemning the call of US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken to Nigeria’s President – Elect and Former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Alhaji Korede Quadri made this displeasure known in a statement, stating that Peter Obi’s comment on Twitter urging the United States to wait for the outcome of the Presidential election tribunal before conferring Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s legitimacy was uncalled for and could brew up crisis in the nation.
The APC leader maintained that Mr. Blinken’s call was to solidify the country’s strength with Nigeria ahead of the May 29 Inauguration of new administration.
He said, “following the recent comment of the Labour Party’s Presidential Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi concerning the legitimacy of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it is worth to point out that the election that brought Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in as Nigeria’s President – election was transparent, free and fair with true representation of people’s mandate”.
“The comment of Peter Obi on Twitter is condemnable for berrating the call made by the United States Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken to Nigeria’s President- Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu”.
“For avoidance of doubt, it is important that Mr. Peter Obi know that the call was to solidify and strengthen the cordial relationship between the two countries, before, during and after the May 29th Inauguration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu”.
“Making unfounded comment on social media platforms about the already held election to me could further heightened the political space on Nigeria”.
“Let me reiterate that this is not the first time Nigeria is having a disputed elections and the past disputes did not stop Inaugurations”, he said.
Alhaji Korede Quadri, while reassuring Nigerians that the Inauguration of the incoming Bola Ahmed Tinubu – led administration remain sacrosanct, described those calling for the annulment of the election and constitution of an interim National Government as the ‘country’s enemies’.
Alhaji Quadri further stressed that this was not the first time Nigeria is having disputed elections and the past disputes did not stop inauguration.
He maintained that the recent general election “was the most peaceful, transparent, free and fair election in Nigeria since 1999 as attested to by all non-partisan foreign and local observers”.
He however prayed for good health, success and development for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as Nigeria is set for another dispensation.
“I am however using this opportunity to reassure Nigerians that the Inauguration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will hold as planned as the military and Federal Government have made all plans to ensure smooth transition of power from incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari to the President – elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu”.
“Let it be established that since aggrieved parties that participated in the 2023 general elections have followed the rule of law by submitting themselves to the election petition tribunals, we appeal once again to them and their foreign collaborators to allow the already activated process to run its full course without intimidation and undue external pressure. That is the only way to preserve the sovereign integrity of our country”,he added.
