Tribunal verdict: Be mindful of your utterances against opposition – APC chieftain to party loyalists

Abayomi Nurain Mumuni, a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, recently urged his party members to refrain from insulting Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP).

The leader of the APC said that his party members should put their efforts into something useful rather than criticizing others.

Mumuni offered this piece of advise on Friday in response to the recent tribunal judgement that upheld President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling APC in the presidential election held on February 25.

In a press statement released to DAILY POST, signed by his media assistant Rasheed Abubakar, the APC chieftain hailed the verdict as a just reward for the Nigerian people, who gave President Tinubu and his Vice President Kashim Shettima their mandate at the polls.

Then he urged his fellow APC members to train themselves to promote harmony rather than discord.

After the tribunal’s decision, he encouraged them to watch their tongues, especially while speaking ill of the opposing candidates.

He remarked, “Knowing how the election went, I wasn’t particularly astonished by the verdict. The election was widely regarded as one of the most open in recent memory. The Nigerian people have spoken. Their mandate was given to Asiwaju and his vice president. This verdict is entirely fair.

You can’t possibly assume that the opposition won’t take action. The answer is yes; they will succeed. They are already saying things about our candidates and the justice system that cannot be printed. I’m pleading with our party faithful and members to watch what they say in the wake of the tribunal’s decision.

“The opposition’s followers have already begun targeting our top officials. Not doing so is a bad idea. None of the other presidential hopefuls, including the Waziri Adamawa, Alhaji Atiku, deserve any kind of disrespect because of this. It’s to be expected that those who feel wronged would seek redress before the highest court in the land.

All of us need training in how to spread harmony rather than discord. No one should use their position as a political leader in Nigeria as an excuse to treat their elders or fellow citizens with contempt. He said he would run a government that was fair to everyone. This was something he stressed in his inaugural address and later speeches. The Nigerian initiative dwarfs competing priorities.

It is time for mending, especially in light of Senator Bola Tinubu’s approach to communication and regard for others. That will undoubtedly reveal the unique backgrounds we come from. Those who are making noise should be disregarded by our supporters. They should appeal to the Supreme Court if they are still unhappy.

“APC backers shouldn’t add their voices to the din. We need to channel our enthusiasm into something useful, like making sure the newfound optimism comes to fruition.