Atiku dismisses Tinubu's call for national healing as hypocritical after the APC's violence in Lagos

FORMER vice president and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has dismissed calls by the president-elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for healing after the recent bruising elections as hypocritical.

On Saturday February 25, Nigerians went to the polls to elect a new president and the Independent National Election Commission (Inec) subsequently declared Asiwaju Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the winner. Among the main gladiators in the contest were Asiwaju Tinubu of APC, Alhaji Abubakar of the PDP, Governor Peter Obi of the Labour Party and former Kano State governor Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP).

Inec chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served as the returning officer for the presidential election, declared Asiwaju Tinubu the victor of the contest with 8,794,726 votes, defeating Alhaji Abubakar of the PDP, who came second with 6,984,520 votes and Governor Obi who came third with 6,101,533 votes. However, the PDP and Labour Party have refused to accept the results.

Asiwaju Tinubu has called for a period of national healing after the very divisive contest, especially, after last Saturday's gubernatorial contest, which were much more rancorous than the presidential polls. He had, in a statement, expressed sadness at what he described as infractions in some states as well as the divisive rhetoric that characterised the polls.

However, Alhaji Abubakar has dismissed such calls after what he described as a violent election, saying the APC was exhibiting the height of hypocrisy. Alhaji Abubakar, however, commended the US government for condemning the violent and ethnically charged election in Lagos State.

Phrank Shaibu, Alhaji Abubakar's spokesman, described Asiwaju Tinubu’s statement as an after-thought and hypocritical garbage. He said it was curious that Asiwaju Tinubu was talking about reconciliation after his loyalists attacked Igbo voters in Lagos in order to give his party the advantage during Saturday's gubernatorial elections.

Mr Shaibu said Asiwaju Tinubu had continued to protect transport hooligans, politicians and even traditional leaders in Lagos, who were seen on video threatening non-indigenes. He added: “Tinubu’s latest statement is laced with hypocrisy and lies. For a whole month, traditional leaders, transport hooligans and politicians in his camp threatened non-indigenes but Tinubu kept mute.

“His lackey, MC Oluomo, who is a member of his presidential campaign council, was seen on video threatening Igbo people but Tinubu said nothing. His campaign spokesmen, Bayo Onanuga and Femi Fani-Kayode, went on social media to warn Igbo people against exercising their franchise but Tinubu looked the other way.

“Traditional rulers imposed curfews and went about slaughtering goats and placing them in front of polling units but Tinubu said nothing. A traditional leader and council chairman in Gbara community, Eti Osa Local Government Area summoned non-indigenes to a meeting where they threatened them with eviction if they failed to vote for the APC but Tinubu said nothing.

“Those invited by the police ignored invitations because Tinubu is shielding them, while on the day of election, many people who looked Igbo were beaten and prevented from voting but Tinubu kept mute. Now that his party has stolen the election, he has found his voice and is preaching reconciliation. He should tell that to the marines.

“If Tinubu is serious, he should ensure that all those found culpable are arrested and prosecuted but we know he cannot do this because he is their godfather. Tinubu is only after power. Before he took over power, Lagos was known for its urbane and accommodating nature. The late Nnamdi Azikiwe built his political base and business empire in Lagos.

“Mbonu Ojike, born in Imo State, was the deputy mayor of Lagos in 1951. Many others from around the country and beyond built businesses and political careers in Lagos unmolested. However, on Bola Tinubu’s watch, Lagos has become an intolerant state where non-indigenes are openly beaten on election day and threatened with eviction if they don’t vote for his party. Now he seeks reconciliation? What a joke!”