Atiku, Obi need to support Tinubu for Nigeria”s unity, progress, says Marafa

By Egena Sunday Ode

For unity and progress of the nation, the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi, should support President Bola Tinubu.
Senator Kabir Marafa who made this declaration while speaking to newsmen at the Aso Preaidential Villa, Abuja, at the weekend explained that Atiku and Obi’s support for Tinubu had become imperative, especially now that the contestation over the presidency is over.
Marafa expressed hope that all parties would put their differences aside and join hands with the President to address the critical challenges facing the nation.
According to him, the constitutionally given right of those who had challenged the president’s victory was guaranteed, noting, however, that with the apex court’s verdict, the battle was now over.
He noted President Tinubu’s commitment to concentrating on his duties without distraction, emphasizing the importance of coming together of all leaders, regradless of political leanings, to move the country forward.
The Senator said: “my prayer and wish for them is to bury their differences and join hands with Mr. President to move the country forward, especially given the problems we have across the nation.
“So, we need all hands on deck now. It is over. They have done what they are supposed to have done. The constitution gives them inherent rights to challenge the victory. But with the verdict of the apex court, the battle is over.
“Like the president said, he is going to concentrate on his job without giving anybody any opportunity to distract him.
“So, on their part, I wish they would join hands with Mr. President to move the country forward.
Drawing from his personal experience of losing an election, Senator Marafa highlighted the need to accept defeat gracefully and work together for the betterment of the nation.
He called on national leaders to do the same, emphasizing that it was time to focus on building Nigeria and addressing the hardships faced by the masses.
Responding to a question about whether the president should form a government of national unity, Senator Marafa left the decision to Mr. President, recognizing his political acumen.
He suggested that the behavior of participants in the days to come, particularly their response to the court’s judgment, would influence the president’s decision.
Senator Marafa stressed the importance of having all hands on deck for successful governance, particularly in a diverse and complex country like Nigeria.