President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to presidential candidates who lost the election not to resort to violence and put people in harm’s way.
In the statement that was released on his verified Twitter account, Buhari said that candidates who can prove the alleged fraud they claim was committed against them during the election should bring forward the evidence and approach the court.
Recall that the opposition parties had alleged that the electoral process wasn’t free and fair. They called for the cancellation of the election, adding that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, should also step down.
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But reacting to the claims, the President urged them to approach the court if they can prove their case. However, he made it clear that if they have no evidence to prove that there is any fraud committed against them, they must conclude that the election was indeed the people’s will.
He also stated that they shouldn’t take it to the streets, adding that they won’t be doing so in the interest of the people but for their personal interest.
I know some politicians and candidates may not agree with this view. That too is fine. If any candidate believes they can prove the fraud they claim is committed against them, then bring forward the evidence.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) March 1, 2023
If they cannot, then we must conclude that the election was indeed the people’s will – no matter how hard that may be for the losers to accept. If they feel the need to challenge, please take it to the courts, not to the streets.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) March 1, 2023