7th September, 2023
Former federal lawmaker and founder of Silverbird Group, Ben Murray-Bruce has advised Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar and other 2023 presidential candidates to follow the Goodluck Jonathan doctrine by accepting defeat.
Ben penned the advice after Tribunal upheld the victory of Bola Tinubu of APC.
He urged Obi and others to put the national interest above self-interest by accepting the verdict of the Tribunal.
The media mogul stated that “Tinubu is the duly elected and undisputed President of Nigeria” and the tribunal verdict should erase all doubts.
The statement by Ben reads:
“Once elections have been held and a winner is announced, we must follow the Jonathan doctrine and accept the people’s verdict in the interest of democracy and the nation. Our elections don’t have to end in the courts. But now that we have found ourselves in this position, and the courts have spoken, let us put national interest above self-interest, accept the verdict, and move on so the nation can advance.
“Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the duly elected and undisputed President of Nigeria, and this judgment should settle all questions and erase all doubts.
“I commend the judges of the Presidential Election Petition Court for doing a challenging job exceptionally well. It was democracy that won. So, I commend both the President and his challengers.
“Coincidentally, this verdict is coming as the President marks a hundred days in office, days that have been eventful, effective and decisive. And now, without this unnecessary uncertainty hanging over his head, we can expect even better days.
“Finally, I call on supporters of all the parties to this now settled case to be mindful of recent events on our continent and thus tailor their words and actions to promote the peace, progress and prosperity of Nigeria as one democratic and united nation under God. #PEPCJudgment.”