Nigeria’s opposition parties have called for calm and unity as President Bola Tinubu faces several legal challenges over his victory in the last presidential elections. Tinubu, who is the leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), won a second term in office in February 2023, defeating his main rival, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
However, Abubakar and other opposition candidates have refused to accept the outcome, alleging widespread irregularities and fraud. They have filed petitions at the Supreme Court, seeking to nullify Tinubu’s win and order a fresh poll. But some APC chieftains have appealed to the opposition to drop their lawsuits and allow Tinubu to focus on his duties as president. One of them is Chief Charles Obada, the eldest son of late General Orho Obada, a former defense minister and a respected elder statesman. Obada, who is also a two-time governorship aspirant in Delta state, said he was confident that the Supreme Court would uphold Tinubu’s victory.
“I want to urge all parties at this time to sheath their swords, not minding their cases at the Supreme Court1. I am one of those who believe that the judgment from the Supreme Court would be in favor of Mr. President,” he said. “So, it is time to tell all of them that enough is enough. We need to give Mr. President space to focus on governance, Nigeria. Let us all support Mr. President to succeed.”
Obada also expressed optimism that the APC governorship candidate in Delta state, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, would reclaim his mandate through the court processes. Omo-Agege, who is also the deputy senate president, lost to incumbent Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of the PDP in the March 2023 governorship election. Obada said he was hopeful that Omo-Agege would join Tinubu in transforming Nigeria into a prosperous and peaceful nation. He also urged the Senate to confirm Hon Stella Okotete as Minister, saying she would bring her wealth of experience and expertise to the cabinet.
Okotete, who is an APC national women leader and a former executive director of NEXIM Bank, was nominated by Tinubu as one of his ministers in August 2023. She is among the 43 ministerial nominees awaiting confirmation by the Senate. Obada said he was proud of Tinubu’s achievements in his first term, especially in tackling insecurity, corruption and economic challenges. He said he was confident that Tinubu would deliver more dividends of democracy to Nigerians in his second term. He also called on Nigerians to support Tinubu’s vision of building a united and progressive country. He said Nigeria had a bright future under Tinubu’s leadership and urged all citizens to pray for him and his administration.
[Source]: Vanguard
