Ben Murray-Bruce, a former senator from Bayelsa East, has urged Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, a candidate for the Labour Party (LP), to support President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, arguing that the tribunal’s decision has dispelled all questions about the strength and legality of Tinubu’s mandate. He also asserts that Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos, is the duly elected and legitimate head of state of Nigeria.
Murray-Bruce, who made the recommendation in a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday in response to the verdict of the 2023 presidential election tribunal, urged Atiku and Obi to put aside their self-interests and cooperate with the Tinubu administration to advance the country.
In the spirit of democracy and the country, Murray-Bruce – a PDP leader and a supporter of Atiku, advised his party’s presidential nominee to concede defeat like former President Goodluck Jonathan.
He also praised the judges for doing an excellent job of advancing democracy in the nation, particularly in light of their finding that insufficient proof of fraud and widespread violation of electoral laws had been presented.
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He stated: “Our elections don’t have to end in the courts. But now that we have found ourselves in this position, and the courts have spoken, let us put national interest above self-interest, accept the verdict, and move on so the nation can advance.
“Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the duly elected and undisputed President of Nigeria, and this judgment should settle all questions and erase all doubts.”
“Once elections have been held and a winner is announced, we must follow the Jonathan doctrine and accept the people’s verdict in the interest of democracy and the nation.”
“I commend the judges of the Presidential Election Petition Court for doing a challenging job exceptionally well. It was democracy that won. So, I commend both the President and his challengers.
“Coincidentally, this verdict is coming as the President marks a hundred days in office, days that have been eventful, effective and decisive. And now, without this unnecessary uncertainty hanging over his head, we can expect even better days.
“Finally, I call on supporters of all the parties to this now settled case to be mindful of recent events on our continent and thus tailor their words and actions to promote the peace, progress and prosperity of Nigeria as one democratic and united nation under God.”
