Tolu Bankole, a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress and the national leader of APC Persons With Disabilities, has urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Labor Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to set aside their differences and work together with President Bola Tinubu to deliver democracy’s benefits to Nigerians. This appeal comes in the wake of the Supreme Court’s judgment.
Bankole also extended his congratulations to all Nigerians and the party’s leadership for President Tinubu’s victory. A seven-judge panel of the Supreme Court had recently upheld the president’s election while dismissing the appeals of Atiku and Obi. The court, led by Justice John Okoro, rejected Atiku’s attempt to use Tinubu’s CSU credentials as evidence in his claim of document forgery submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Reacting in a statement issued on Friday, Bankole described the Supreme Court judgment as a timely judicial intervention to halt the distractions and controversy it has generated and allow the president to begin to ‘walk his talk.’
He said, “Now that our days in court are over, I urge the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the Labour Party Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, to sheath their swords, embrace the will of the people and support the President in delivering on his Renewed Hope agenda and by extension hands to develop the country.
“The Supreme Court verdict should be accepted in good faith by all lovers of democracy. I call on Nigerians to also desist from divisive politics and comments that might jeopardise our national unity. Our Judiciary has again lived up to expectations. It has reaffirmed our belief that it remains the last hope of the masses. We must collectively commend the pivotal role our Judiciary has played in both speed and quality of delivery to deepening democracy and upholding justice.
“This judgement affirms our conviction that our nation’s jurisprudence has come of age, and it will deepen our commitment to democratic values. As true democrats, we must embrace the tenets of democracy, which also encompass post-election litigations. Our struggle for service must also fuel our reverence for democratic values. Supreme Court has dispensed justice. Now is the time to come together and build our nation.
“The renewed hope drive of President Tinubu is about the best good for the vast majority of Nigerians. The result of the February 25 Presidential poll, upheld by the Supreme Court, represents the will of the majority of Nigerians who voted massively for the APC and it is time to walk the talk without distractions.”
