A group known as the Concerned Northern Forum (CNF) stated on Friday that those advocating for the cancellation of Saturday’s presidential election are “enemies” of the country. The group emphasized that such calls for cancellation are unwarranted, asserting that no election in the world is without flaws. During a press conference held at the Arewa House in Kaduna, CNF spokesperson Abdulsalam Kazeem criticized former President Olusegun Obasanjo for his call to cancel the election.
While congratulating Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kazeem remarked that those pushing for the election’s cancellation are not only acting mischievously but are also “enemies” of democracy. He pointed out that the defeat of Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a fellow northerner, should not lead to efforts to discredit the elections. Kazeem stated, “Without wasting your precious time, we want to make our position known over the just concluded 2023 presidential elections and the announcement of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the President-elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
He continued by congratulating Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his well-deserved victory, expressing that as northerners, they are pleased with his success. Kazeem expressed a desire to collaborate with Tinubu once he is sworn in on May 29, 2023, Inshallah. He reiterated that the loss of Atiku Abubakar does not justify joining undemocratic factions to condemn what he described as one of the most credible elections in Nigeria’s history.
Kazeem asserted that those calling for the cancellation of the election are undermining Nigeria and should not be heeded. He characterized the election as having been conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner across the country, labeling calls for its cancellation as mischievous and a threat to democracy. He claimed that this election is the best Nigeria has ever had, surpassing those of 1993 and 1999.
He drew comparisons to elections in developed democracies, noting that challenges are common. For instance, the 2015 American elections, which resulted in Donald Trump’s presidency, were rumored to have been influenced by Russian interference, yet this did not lead to the cancellation of the results. Similarly, the elections conducted under President Olusegun Obasanjo that brought Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to power faced their own challenges, but were not annulled. Yar’Adua himself acknowledged the irregularities and focused on electoral reforms instead.
In the spirit of sportsmanship, Kazeem urged those who lost the election and their supporters to reach out, congratulate Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and pledge their loyalty to work together for a better Nigeria. He reminded everyone that losing candidates is a common occurrence in elections. Rather than inciting tension and division among Nigerians across tribal and political lines, he called on those feeling aggrieved to seek legal recourse through established procedures. Kazeem concluded by stating that calling for the cancellation of the election undermines the hard work and resources invested by the Commission to deliver the best elections in Africa and the world.
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