The leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, has urged those who lost the February 25 presidential election to warn their supporters against making utterances that threaten the continued existence of the country.
The election was contested by Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, who emerged second; Peter Obi of the Labour Party, who came third and the eventual winner, President-elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
In a press statement on Wednesday, Fasoranti gave the election a pass mark, saying it was also adjudged as free and fair by both local and international observers.
“I will, however, wish to plead with those candidates who lost in the election to consider their various campaign promises of a better Nigeria and caution their supporters while they pursue their grievances through legitimate legal channels, as provided for in the electoral law and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is without prejudice to the olive branch being waved by the acclaimed winner of the election,” he said.
The nonagenarian elder statesman reminded the President-elect of what Afenifere told him about the economy and security situations of the country during their meeting on October 30, 2022, in Ondo.
“I once again wish to call on the President-elect to make security a priority immediately after he assumes office on 29th May 2023. Equally important is the issue of our economy, which I believe requires urgent attention. We must immediately stem the worsening rate of unemployment in the land to curb the rising youth restiveness in different parts of the country,” he said.
On Saturday’s governorship election in Lagos State, Fasoranti backed the re-election of the incumbent, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his infrastructural achievements and the way he handled the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said, “I want to use this opportunity to recognise and appreciate the achievements of the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is seeking re-election for a second term on the platform of the All Progressives Congress. These achievements include but are not limited to the following: The Blue Rail Line, the Imota Rice Mill (these were recently inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari), the Red Rail Line, the proposed 4th Mainland Bridge, the ongoing Atlantic City, which was intended to checkmate the perennial sea incursion into Victoria Island (thereby converting an environmental challenge to an opportunity), numerous housing projects in different parts of Lagos State, numerous road projects across the state, numerous projects in health and educational institutions within the state.”
