In response to Garba Shehu, the presidential spokesperson, the election of Bola Tinubu is legitimate and might solely be invalidated by a court docket ruling. Shehu made this assertion whereas summarizing President Muhammadu Buhari’s latest journey to Qatar, stating that some persons are hoping for the election to be nullified with a view to recreate the political disaster of the June 12, 1993 election.
In 1993, Moshood Abiola, the Social Democratic Get together (SDP) presidential candidate, was believed to have gained the election, however former army head of state Ibrahim Babangida annulled the outcomes. This led to a nationwide protest that ultimately compelled Babangida to step down and hand over energy to Ernest Shonekan as the pinnacle of an interim nationwide authorities. Nevertheless, just a few weeks later, Sani Abacha, the previous head of state, staged a coup, ensuing within the return of army rule in Nigeria.
Shehu mentioned Buhari had promised that the February 25 presidential election is not going to be annulled whatever the winner.
Whereas addressing Nigerians in Qatar, Buhari was mentioned to have referred to as for help for Tinubu “in order that Nigeria will proceed to be the beacon of hope and prosperity in our continent and an instance for different African nations to emulate”.
“Along with different issues, this journey, greater than some other, speaks to the braveness, political stamina, and statesmanship with which the President has managed the affairs of the nation,” Shehu mentioned.
“Within the buildup to the journey, he was confronted with orchestrated makes an attempt to poison public opinion in opposition to nationwide establishments, notably the presidential election and its conduct by the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee, INEC as an establishment, in opposition to which vile and unsubstantiated allegations had been hurled.
“The clear intent of this was creating an environment of worry, polarizing the general public, and demonizing the administration of the president.
“The wishful thinkers appeared to imagine that the June 12, 1993 election disaster, the worst ever for the reason that Civil Struggle may very well be recreated.
“Those that sought to do that forgot what the president mentioned on the palace of the Gbong-Gwon Jos, when he went to town to inaugurate the Tinubu-Shettima marketing campaign: ‘this election is not going to be annulled; whoever is the winner might be president’.
“President Buhari not solely muted himself following the cacophony, he picked up worldwide journey: ‘Bola Tinubu’s election stands. In case you are aggrieved, and you’ve got the locus to take action, go to court docket’.
“At any time when the President travels overseas, he meets world leaders however doesn’t miss the chance to speak to our residents there, who proudly tells him concerning the achievements of the Nigerian neighborhood settled in these nations.”
Shehu mentioned Buhari’s journey to Qatar is “one more profitable outing by the president and will probably be on report as such”.