A former member of the Senate, Kabir Garba Marafa, has made a heartfelt plea to the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, urging them to put aside their differences and join forces with President Bola Tinubu to propel the nation forward.
Following a recent meeting between Marafa and Tinubu, the former senator from Zamfara Central Senatorial District emphasized the magnitude of the challenges facing the country. He stressed the importance of collaborative efforts to effectively tackle these issues.
Marafa stated, “It is my hope and desire that they set aside their differences and join forces with Mr President to forge ahead, especially in light of the problems we are currently facing as a nation.”
“We need everyone actively involved now. The time for contestation is over. They have exercised their rights to challenge the election results, as granted to them by the Constitution. However, with the verdict now handed down by the Supreme Court, the battle concludes here.”
“As the President has stated, he intends to focus on his responsibilities without allowing anyone to distract him. Therefore, I implore Atiku and Obi to align themselves with Mr President and work together to move the nation forward.”
“When I lost the election, I offered my congratulations to the candidate who emerged victorious. I also promised to cooperate with whoever the people of Zamfara Central chose as their senator, in order to progress the region. After all, I was elected twice and emerged as the undisputed winner on both occasions.”
“So, even though they now claim that I have lost, I understand that in any competition, there are winners and losers. Yesterday, I was the winner, and today, I have lost. I accept this reality and look ahead, knowing that tomorrow presents a new opportunity.”
“In the same vein, I expect our national leaders to do the same. They have exhausted their options. It is time to move on. Let us shift our focus to building Nigeria and addressing the issues faced by the masses.”
When asked about the calls for a Government of National Unity, Marafa expressed that the decision would depend on the actions and behavior of the opposition parties in the country.
Furthermore, Marafa emphasized that the President holds the ultimate authority to determine the course of action.
“I understand that Mr President is a seasoned politician who has a deep understanding of the game. He will be the one to decide whether to form a Government of National Unity, or if the conduct of the opposition has compelled him to reconsider.”
“Their conduct, starting from Thursday, will serve as an indicator for the President’s decision. If they receive the court judgment with open hearts and extend a hand of friendship to Mr President, I am confident that he will be willing to work with everyone. Governance is a collaborative effort, especially in a complex country like Nigeria, where success requires the active participation of all stakeholders.”
