Delivering his speech after been sworn-in as President and Commander in chief,Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'adua admitted that the election that saw to his position was flawed.Also the reports of both local and international observers and reactions of opposition parties clearly stated that the election was sub-standard and lacked the proper procedure of accepted election.
Opposition parties and candidates that contested under their platforms did the accepted form of protest,which is laying their grievences before the election tribunals rather than inciting their party members and supporters to take the law into their hands.By this,the opposition received applause as this action of theirs potrayed them as peaceful and law abiding ,and they also became vigilant,as some politicians want to take advantage of the situation to hold on to power.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Chairman of INEC Prof. Maurice Iwu are of the opinion that the election is a job well done and on the other hand the reports of observers,who reported that the April elections was the worst ever in the whole world.It is only the courts that will decide who is the liar between them!
Events unfolding after the April elections with regards to the opposition parties are disheartening and shameful especially with regard to opposition ANPP. Firstly ,the party came out loud and clear during and after the April elections that the election was massively rigged ! And later they changed gear by accepting to par take in goverment of national unity eventhough they had filed a suit against the presidential election!! Lastly they withdrew their suit against the presidential election in total disregard to the yearnings and aspirations of their supporters who underwent untold sufferings and hardships in the name of national unity!!!
Also information available indicates that the opposition AC and it's presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar had been under pressure to also withdraw their suit against the presidential election .Will they also succumb to pressure and change their position by withdrawing their suit against the presidential election?
Still on the issue of withdrawing the presidential suit from courts,the media featured the news of attempt to convince General Muhammadu Buhari to withdraw his suit against the PDP,Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'adua and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.The delegation was led by former President Alhaji Shehu Shagari ,Galadiman Katsina Justice Mamman Nasir,Chairman First Bank Alhaji Umaru Mutallab and former chairman of defunct Democratic party of Nigeria (DPN)Alhaji Saleh Hassan,where they discuss extensively with General Buhari on the need for him to withdraw his suit in the electoral tribunal in the intrest of Northern and National unity.On the part of General Buhari he informred them on his determination to continue with his suit in the election tribunals.
Am of the opinion that pressure ,threat and intimidation should not be used on opposition parties and their flagbearers to to withdraw their suits in the election tribunals.,as it would not augur and speak well of our democracy .It is a must on us Nigerians to show the world our determination and sincerity in the process of building a sound and durable democracy in our country eventhough some individuals did what they did during the April elections.Nigerian policicians never learn from history and as such let us allow the courts to do their jobs as verdicts passed will serve as deterrant to future elections.Up coming politicians will also learn the process of how to legitimately become leaders and representatives of their people.
To President Umaru Musa Yar'adua, if those parading themselves as negotiators for pressuring ,intimidating and threatening the opposition parties and their flagbearers to withdraw their suits in courts are doing on your behalf ,Sir, you should stop them ,as it would send a bad signal to Nigerians and International community that your reforms on the electoral process are nor sincere.And Mr.President ,why are you afraid?There seems to be only two options now left which are either the courts to legitimise your election or to nullify the election.If Nigerians are satisfied with the way you conduct the affairs of this nation in the few months you ruled ,they will massively vote for you!
The massively rigged April elections and suits in election tribunals superceded the issue of Northerness,tribalism,religious sentiment and sectionalism.It is an issue of justice and providing exempleanery history for unborn Nigerians .It is also a must for us as Nigerians to ensure that process of assuming the mantle of leadership is constitionally followed for enshrinement of justice ,unity and purposeful leadership.
Eventhough many Nigerians are of the view that in the few months that President Yar'adua ruled Nigeria he has been able to achieve alot in such a short period,among his achievements are availability of fuel in all filling stations nationwide at a uniform price,revoking the sales of Kaduna and Port-Harcourt refineries,revoking of so many contracts that were not properlyawarded by the previous Obasanjo administration,stopping the mass sacking of the Nigerian workers and even returning many to their duty post e.t.c. With so many achievements in few months ,it still did'nt stop many from within and outside the country to continue to regard his goverment as illigitamate! President Yar'adua can only legitimise his goverment through the courts.All those seeking the opposition parties and their flagbearers to withdraw their suits from courts are not sincere advisers to President Yar'adua! It is only the final verdict of the courts that can place Yar'adua's goverment in it's proper position.
General Buhari has today remained the only true democrat standing! He should be aware that the struggle he is into of strenthening our democracy and the rule of law is appreciated and suported by all true lovers of democracy .And Buhari has reached a special stage where he has now occupied an exalted seat in the hall of fame of true democrats ,not only in Nigeria but in Africa as a whole.General Buhari should continue with his case in the election tribunal up to the supreme court without succumbing to pressure,threat,intimidation and blackmail ,as his suit is on behalf of the Nigerian masses.
Opposition parties that have joined the goverment of National unity and those that have withdrawn their suit in the presidential election had deceived and betrayed their members and supporters.They should be aware that history has prepared for them a special place and their parties may meet the fate of AD !
Nigerian masses should resist any attempt to turn their country to a one-party state,and should not be tired in any way in the struggle to place Nigeria among the nations where free and fair elections could be obtained.A new Nigeria that all will be proud of especially the black race all over the world.
Politicians in all political parties that have filed suits in the election tribunals should continue pursuing their cases and that of their supporters uptill the supreme court.It is a collective must on all Nigerians to ensure that our country earns respect and prestige in the world political arena.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
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