The Labor faction led by Lamidi Apapa has urged its presidential candidate Peter Obi and his Peoples Democratic Party counterpart Atiku Abubakar to borrow a leaf from the Liberian elections by congratulating President Bola Tinubu.
Liberian President-elect Joseph Boakai, who served as Liberia’s 29th vice president under former president Ellen Sirleaf Johnson from 2006 to 2018, defeated incumbent George Weah.
Weah, a former World Player of the Year award winner, conceded defeat after the country’s electoral judge declared Boakai the winner with 50.9% of the vote while Weah won 49.1%.
Reacting to the statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, LP faction spokesperson, Abayomi Arabambi, revealed that both Weah and Boakai have proven that the elections are not a do or die affair or a war to be won at any cost.
Arguing that former President Goodluck Jonathan had also followed the same stance, Arabambi urged Ariku and Obi to join Tinubu in rebuilding the country.
He said: “It is time for former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and former Governor of Anambra State and Presidential Candidate of LP, Mr. Peter Obi, to congratulate President Bola Tinubu after exploring all options under the Constitution and the Electoral Act.
He said: “An official who, despite losing his second term as president yesterday, did not wait for anyone to congratulate the winner. As a responsible leader, former President Goodluck Jonathan also did the same as George Weah and today he is considered a great pillar of democracy.
“The Labor Party therefore appeals to Obi’ and Atiku to support the administration and have faith in the ongoing reforms. We expected this duo to bury the hatchet and join hands with the President in implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda. Nigerian leaders should emulate this spirit of sportsmanship.”
