• ‘Tinubu is magnanimous in victory’
Presidential candidate of National Rescue Movement (NRM), Rev. Felix Osakwe, has called on his fellow contestants in the February election to congratulate the winners of “that epic electoral contest.”
He spoke in Abuja on the sidelines of a discussion on building and supporting a new Nigeria, led by President Bola Tinubu.
Osakwe called on candidates of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, and others to respect the judgment of the Presidential Election Petitions Court (PEPC).
He said they should congratulate President Tinubu and his Vice President, Ibrahim Shettima, on their victory. But the candidate urged the President to continue to show magnanimity in victory by embracing those who lost to him.
Osakwe had led other presidential candidates to show solidarity with Tinubu and Shettima after Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) returned them as winners of the poll.
However, Atiku and Obi headed for the tribunal, asking the court to invalidate the election. They alleged manipulation, irregularities and non-compliance with the Electoral Act as amended.
Read Also: Soludo: President fair to Igbo with appointments
Reacting to the ruling, Osakwe said it is a victory for Nigerians and called on aggrieved persons to embrace peace, brotherhood, friendship and solidarity to allow Tinubu focus on redirecting our nation to the paths of progress and prosperity.
He congratulated the President, urging him to eschew grievances, and focus on restoring Nigeria’s dreary fortunes.
Osakwe pledged the support of his coalition to the Renewed Hope Agenda.
With some former presidential candidates under Forum of Concerned Presidential Candidates, he had visited All Progrssives Congress (APC) National Chair, Abdullahi Ganduje, to felicitate him, and sought inclusion in the Tinubu administration.
Osakwe noted the visit followed the need to join in building a virile and equitable nation under the Renewed Hope mantra.
“Our stance demonstrates selflessness, zeal for service, leadership, solidarity, understanding and love”, he said.