WorldStage NewsOnline—-Following the declaration of President Muhammadu Buhari as the winner of the last Saturday’s presidential election, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has urged Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to concede defeat by congratulating the President.
A statement by Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim-Biu, ACF National Publicity Secretary, and made available to News Agency of Nigeria in Kaduna, said Atiku should accept the will of the people.
“The ACF salutes the courage of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for putting up a gallant fight with an impressive performance in the presidential elections.
“The forum calls on Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of PDP as a committed democrat who cherishes peaceful democratic transition, to accept the will of the people, concede defeat and congratulate President Buhari on his well deserved victory at the just concluded elections.
“Especially as there are credible evidence that the elections have been generally peaceful, free and fair.
“Such concession on the part of the main challenger would be in the overall interest of Nigeria and place him among global democrats.”
The ACF also urged other contestants to be magnanimous in defeat and congratulate their opponents who won.
The forum commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting a smooth and transparent elections, and refusing “to be intimidated or cajoled by the initial logistic challenges which led to the postponement of the elections by one week and other unfortunate incidences.”
