Against the backdrop of this year’s Democracy Day celebration, apex Igbo socio-political organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, on Monday, appealed to the 2023 presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi of the Labour Party to give their support to the winner, President Bola Tinubu.
Ohanaeze urged Atiku and Obi to withdraw their cases before the election petition tribunal and throw their weight behind Tinubu.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, enjoined Atiku and Obi to support Tinubu with their ideas as patriots and nationalists.
Isiguzoro, who stated this in an interview with Daily Post, said, “The money that Atiku and Peter Obi are using to pursue their cases at the tribunal, we beg the two Nigerian patriots to support Tinubu because the war has ended.
“They should bring ideas to ensure that Nigerians don’t experience severe hardship.
“This is our democracy message to Atiku, Peter Obi, and Nigerians that though they have the constitutional rights to challenge Tinubu at the tribunal up to the Supreme Court, they should withdraw their cases from the tribunal in the spirit of nationalism and patriotism.
“We know it’s a decision that will be hard for them, their lawyers and supporters will not allow them; but in the spirit of patriotism and one Nigeria they should allow, support this progressive president with the ideas that will move the country from consumption to production.”
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo secretary-general, however, urged Tinubu to ensure that his appointments reflect Federal character.
He also charged the President not to marginalise the Igbo in making key appointments.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo chieftain said, “In as much as we applaud him, Tinubu should look at the situation of not giving exceptional appointments that will promote ethnicity, religion, or nepotism.
“His appointments must reflect the principle of Federal character and ensure that the South-East gets strong ministries that will transform the region economically and structurally.”
He also appealed to the President for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
“What we are yearning for is that Tinubu should listen to the appeal of Enugu State governor
and release Nnamdi Kanu and end the Monday sit-at-home,” Isiguzoro said.