Nigerians living in United States of America, the United Kingdom, and in many European countries have announced their acceptance of the outcome of the February 25 presidential polls which threw up the emergence of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging those aggrieved to explore the options of judicial interpretations.
The Nigerians in Diaspora, under the aegis of the United Nigerians for True Federalism, said though they were initially worried by the alleged glitches and brouhaha thrown up by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the conduct of the polls, the acceptance of the outcome of the polls and support for the president-elect is important for the needed peace, prosperity and development of the country.
The group, the United Nigerians for True Federalism (UNTF), with headquarters in New York, United States in a statement signed by its Coordinator Kenneth Friday, while reiterating the commitment of thousands of scholars, academics and professionals under its membership, expressed the unwavering commitment to the strenghtening of democratic institutions and peaceful transition in the country.
Kenneth Friday, who described those throwing up the plot for an interim government as “anti-democratic forces”, called on Nigerians not to allow evil doers throw the country into unimaginable crisis and should resist desperate plan by forces against the popular decisions of Nigerians at the presidential poll,” anyone that is aggrieved should wait for the outcome of the courts, instead of fanning ember of violence and insecurity.
“No democracy is perfect in the world, even the United States of America and other European countries are having confidence issues in their democracies, and they did not resort to plot of bloodshed. Nigerians should give peace a chance and allow the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deliver on the election promises. We have confidence in a new Nigeria under the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government and are already convincing our friends and colleagues abroad that Nigeria should be given another chance to get it right under the new government.”
The group also called on the presidential candidates of other political parties that participated in the polls to guide against unguarded utterances and actions that are detrimental to the existing peace and unity of the country.
It called on the president-elect to show commitment with the formation of a unity government that will strengthen our unity and utilize the best Nigerians available to head the most critical positions, especially those that relate to the economy and security.
The group said the country at the moment needed a firm commitment to working on issues of reconciliation and national rebirth that will usher in a new and better Nigeria that is anchored on justice and equity.
“The coming administration must also show that all regions including the Southeast, and the Niger Delta will be accorded fair and just system with an unequivocal commitment to a comprehensive review of the constitution that will be delivered to the Nigerian people and make rooms to douse agitations including issues of restructuring, practical development and equity.”
“The Tinubu administration must review issues of practical working of the various intervention agencies for the Southeast and the Niger Delta region, relocation of the headquarters of the Oil Multinationals to the Niger Delta and the proper amendments to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) as clamoured by the people in these affected regions.”