The Lamidi Apapa-led faction of the Labour Party has called on Peter Obi, its presidential candidate, and his counterpart in the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to emulate Liberian president George Weah by congratulating President Bola Tinubu.
The Informant247 had earlier reported that the Liberian president-elect, Joseph Boakai, who previously served as the 29th vice president of Liberia under former President Ellen Sirleaf Johnson from 2006 to 2018, had defeated the incumbent, George Weah.
Weah, a former World Footballer of the Year award recipient, had conceded defeat after the country’s electoral umpire announced Boakai as the winner with 50.9 per cent of the vote, with Weah garnering 49.1 per cent.
However, Abayomi Arabambi,
a spokesman for the LP faction, while reacting via a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, said that both Weah and Boakai have proven that the election is neither a do-or-die affair nor a war that must be won at all cost while arguing that former President Goodluck Jonathan also toed the same line, Arabambi urged Atiku and Obi to join Tinubu in rebuilding the country.
He said, “The time is ripe for former Vice-President and PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and former Governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of LP, Mr Peter Obi, to congratulate President Bola Tinubu after they had explored all the opportunities availed by the Constitution and the Electoral Act.
He said, “The incumbent, who, despite losing his second term as President yesterday, did not wait for anyone before he congratulated the winner. As a responsible leader, former President Goodluck Jonathan did the same as George Weah, and today, he is being reckoned with as a great pillar of democracy.
“Labour Party therefore appeal to Obi’ and Atiku to support the administration and have faith in ongoing reforms. We had expected the duo would bury the hatchet and join hands with the President in delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda. Nigerian leaders should emulate this spirit of sportsmanship.”
The Informant247 had earlier reported how President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Ahmed Tinubu congratulated Liberians on the successful conduct of the presidential election in the country.
According to Ajuri Ngelale, the presidential spokesperson, in a statement released, also congratulated President-elect Joseph Boakai, who won the mandate of the people, while urging him to unite the country and build on the popular support expressed through the ballot box to deliver good governance to the people of Liberia.
The President commended President George Weah for demonstrating uncommon leadership by conceding the election and averting any form of socio-political crisis, adding that Weah’s great act of democratic sportsmanship was exemplary, particularly at this time in West Africa, when democracy was under attack by malign actors who were bent on subverting the will of the people.
The statement reads, “I commend President George Weah for his sterling example, undiluted patriotism, and statesmanship. He has defied the stereotype that peaceful transitions of power are untenable in West Africa. He has demonstrated that the outcome of elections in the sub-region need not become the propellant of violence and unrest and that the will of the people must always be respected.”
President Tinubu, who thanked the people of Liberia for peacefully exercising their rights, implored them to remain steadfast in furthering peace and democracy.
The Informant247 had earlier reported how the African soccer legend George Weah lost his reelection bid to his opposition
Weah conceded defeat to opposition leader Joseph Boakai in the run-off election, which was held on Tuesday.
According to the Liberia election commission, Boakai, 78, a former vice president who lost to Weah in the 2017 election, led with 50.9% of the vote over Weah’s 49.1%, with nearly all the votes counted.
“A few moments ago, I spoke with president-elect Joseph Boakai to congratulate him on his victory. I urge you to follow my example and accept the results of the elections,” said Weah on National Radio on Friday.
The election was put to a run-off after Boakai had emerged neck-and-neck with Weah in the first round of voting in October but below the 50% needed to secure an outright victory.
Boakai told Reuters after the result was announced that he would champion peace and reconciliation in the county.
“We have a job ahead of us, and I’m excited that the citizens have given us approval. First and foremost, we want to have a message of peace and reconciliation.”
George Weah is regarded as one of the greatest African footballers. He is the only black man ever to win the prestigious FIFA World Player of the Year award in 1995.
