PEPT outcome: Ohanaeze chieftain, Isiguzoro tasks APC, LP, PDP supporters against divisive tendencies
By Chijindu Emeruwa
Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechkwu Isiguzoro, on Saturday, cautioned supporters of major political parties whose petitions were struck out by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, including All Progressive Congress faithfuls to ceasefire in their continued exchange of political brickbats necessitated by recent court’s decision on outcome of the concluded Nigeria 2023 presidential seat election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Our correspondent recalls the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) had declared Bola Tinubu, the standard-beaerer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the new President-elect and winner of the concluded february 25, 2023 presidential election held across the federation.
The former lagos Governor polled a total highest number of 8,794,726 votes, to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, who polled a total number of 6,984,520 votes cast to come second; while LP standard-bearer, Peter Obi scored a total of 6, 101,533 votes casts to come third place.
Earlier, Mazi Isiguzoro, while addressing newsmen on Saturday in Umuahia, the Abia state capital, opined that all parties in recently-dismissed post 2023-election cases by the presidential election tribunal must refrain from making further divisive utterances, as it endangers the collective effort of governments and critical stakeholders to institutionalize true democratic process at all leadership levels in this country.
According to Isiguzoro, “these negative tendencies being continually displayed by followers of presidential candidates of these major political parties in the post election lawsuits is equally capable to jeopardize the efforts to reunite Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic, religious and political leanings.
“And regrettably and unpatriotic among these unwholesome tendencies, some party faithfuls have resorted in casting aspersions on the learned jurists who adjudicated and ruled on the matters in social media. This ugly and undemocratic tendencies paints judicial arm of Nigerian government in bad light. And you should know when judicial arm is ridiculed, democracies like ours, is at the verge of collapsing.
While reechoeing the call for calmness in the interest of national security and the ongoing efforts of government at all levels, and well-spirited citizens to restore unity among all ethnic nationalities in Nigeria, Mr Isiguzoro, requested a categorical statements from the presidential candidates including that of ruling APC, directing their supporters across the federation to ceasefire in exchange of political brickbats.
The ex-igbo youth leader urged all parties and followers to maintain the tempo of peace in interest of Nigeria and her people who yearns for good governance.
According to Isiguzoro, “Ohanaeze reiterates its support for an all-inclusive government in Nigeria. Everybody irrespective of different ethnic religious lines should be carried along in the running of affairs of the nation, especially in the provision and dispensation of critical government projects and amenities to be able to offer every sections of sense of belongings”.
