A pro- Nigerian group, The Natives, has called on presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi and his counterpart in the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) Atiku Abubakar not to contemplate leaving the country.
The Natives made the appeal on Wednesday at a news conference.
The LP candidate has dropped the hint of pressure on him to leave the country on the heels of a leaked audio of alleged discussion between him and Founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Pastor David Oyedepo.
Checks revealed that both Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar have since filed petitions before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal challenging the outcome of the last February presidential election won by President -elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Reading a prepared speech before journalists, National Convener of the group, Olalekan Smart Edwards, described Peter Obi as one talented Nigerian Patriot whose talents would be needed to run the country.
He also spoke in a similar vein about the former Vice-President whom he noted has invaluable contributions to offer the country.
He said: “We are hearing rumours that some presidential candidates of various parties have started leaving the country, this is a trademark of any politician who is just an opportunist. We, however, called on our respected Labour Party candidate, His Excellency Peter Obi to please stay in the country because his talents, ability and his contributions are needed in this country as a patriot, he doesn’t need to go on exile.
“We are also hearing that the PDP candidate, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar will soon be on his way back to Dubai, whether he has gone or about to leave, we appeal to him to stay back because his valuable contributions are needed in this country. We encourage all of them to stay back like President Muhammadu Buhari stayed back because this is the process of contributing to the development of our democracy and Nigeria.
“For Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his party has lost elections twice but this one he won through proper collaboration and we are asking all to work together for the growth of our beloved Nigeria and its democracy. “
Reacting to agitation for Interim National Government as against the swearing in of President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the group which noted that there was no provision for such in the country’s Constitution asked aggrieved candidates to seek redress before the election petition tribunals. The Natives also commended the various security agencies, particularly the Department of State Services for its vigilance in alerting the nation of the alleged plot of masterminds of the ING.
“It is therefore noteworthy that the DSS as an establishment acted swiftly to promptly alert and urgently inform the public of the capricious tendencies of desperate feudal political oligarchies, using unsuspecting youths to rubbish all institutions of government and denigrate them to promote anarchy and acts of discountenance in the country.
“We are certainly elated by the bold response of the Military’s Highest Command, their unmistakable loyalty to our democracy, and the dexterity exhibited by the Defence Headquarters to categorize the caprice of these charlatans and proponents of “Interim government” as “Unconstitutional”. This is pace setting and a clear signal across our Continent, that our military might include the deepening of democracy and the sustenance of gains and mileage covered via the sacrifices of the heroes past, thus far, this is encouraging.
“So for taking a professional stand and democratic position in the face of an intending political catastrophe, protecting our constitution, and non-interference in the statutory roles of the Electoral body, our military and intelligence community deserves global applause.
“Towards this end, the Natives of Nigeria encourage the Military and the intelligence community to remain ever-committed to Civilian rule and sustain their character as professionals and defenders of our sovereignty. “
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