Toba Owojaiye reporting
Former Senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial district, Senator Ben Murray Bruce has offered his perspective on the ongoing legal dispute between Atiku Abubakar, representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), against the declared victory of Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 presidential election. He firmly believes that Atiku and Obi’s decision to pursue legal action was unnecessary from the start.
This viewpoint stems from the recent ruling by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in favor of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Atiku and Peter Obi had challenged Tinubu’s victory, contesting the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) declaration. However, the tribunal’s decision has dealt a significant blow to their legal battle.
As the case proceeds to the Supreme Court for a final resolution, Ben Murray Bruce advocates an alternative approach for Atiku and Obi. He points to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s graceful concession in 2015, even before INEC officially announced the final results, as an example they could have followed.
Ben Bruce underscores the importance of respecting the electoral umpire’s verdict, emphasizing that prolonged legal battles are unnecessary. He highlights the significance of accepting the people’s decision in the best interest of democracy and the nation. In his words, he states, “We must follow the Jonathan doctrine and accept the people’s verdict in the interest of democracy and the nation.”
He firmly encourages the aggrieved politicians to accept the tribunal’s ruling and prioritize the nation’s interest over personal agendas, unequivocally recognizing Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the duly elected and undisputed President of Nigeria.