Presidential poll: Agbakoba urges Atiku to shun tribunal

* says ethnicity played significant role

A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba SAN, has charged the former Vice President and PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to shun the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

Agbakoba, in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos, said that President Muhammadu Buhari kept his base in the North while Atiku largely held his base in the South.

He said that the voting pattern for the 2019 Presidential Election shows ethnicity played a significant role in the election.

He said that both All Progressive Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) benefited from primordial voting, adding that the excepted zone is the South-West where voting occurred on the basis of issues.

“I understand the PDP is aggrieved about the outcome of the Election and alleged massive irregularities. But I urge former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar not to approach the Election Petition Tribunal.  He might have moved backwards by his loss but he should not lose sight of the legacy and greatness that lies in front of him”, Agbakoba said.

Atiku, according to him, is in a strong position to take up the mantle of a statesman.

“He can build a new Nigeria movement from the motley of small parties, third force actors, change actors and millions who are desperate for a strong, united Nigeria. There is also a lot of work to be done in both political and electoral reforms. I request former Vice President, AtikuAbubakar to step into the shoes.

“This is not to say I do not recognize the massive irregularities in the 2019 Presidential Election. I can see how tempting it is to take the option of the Election Petition Tribunal but that in my view is not the right decision. We look forward to a new Nigeria, strong and united; a new Nigeria that will not vote on the basis of ethnic and primordial sentiments.

“Nigerian politics must appeal to issues and not ethnic or primordial consideration. This is the biggest danger in the 2019 Presidential Election and we as Nigerians must stand up to redress it,” Agbakoba said.