See What Domestic Group Told Atiku To Do

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar has been advised to accept defeat with dignity.

The advice was given by Group of Accredited Domestic Observers through its National Coordinator of Justice for Equity Sustenance at a news conference today in Abuja.

He spoke on behalf of the Accredited Domestic Observers namely -National Committee of Patriots, Nigeria Vote Count Campaigner, Northern Patriotic Front, Patriotic Women Foundation and Citizen Rights and Leadership Aware Initiative.

“The winners must be magnanimous in the victory while losers must also accept defeat with dignity, at the end of the day, Nigeria and Nigerians will become the beneficiary,” he said.

He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the peaceful conduct of the election which he said met the international standard.

“Majority of the voters, media, party agents, observers, security agents, and poll officials witnessed the sorting of ballots, counting, and recording of result sheets signed by all concerned stakeholders.

“INEC Presiding Officers conducted their activities professionally and transparently.

“All stakeholders that participated in the election performed their roles towards the sustenance of a credible, peaceful, transparent electoral process and democracy in Nigeria,” NAN quoted him as saying.

Bafunsho, however, noted that conducting election anywhere in the world, is never an easy task, saying it requires collective input of all stakeholders.

This, he said, includes political parties, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders as well as the entire citizenry.

He further noted that the postponement of the election by one week by INEC, helped in putting certain measures in place that culminated in the success recorded.

According to him, the election marks an appreciable improvement to the process of the 2015 general election.

Bafunsho said voter turnout during last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly election was overwhelming and unprecedented in the country’s history, especially with the massive participation of women.

He, however, urged INEC to strive to sustain the momentum gained in the March 9 Governorship and National Assembly election as well as in subsequent elections.