Marafa Urges Atiku and Obi to Back Tinubu for Nigeria’s Progress

Senator Kabiru Marafa, a prominent figure in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from Zamfara State, has called upon the two main presidential candidates in the 2023 general elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Mr. Peter Obi, to set aside their differences and support the victor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

He made this appeal following President Tinubu’s Supreme Court victory, which upheld his victory in the 2023 Presidential Election. 

Senator Marafa shared his perspective with reporters at the State House after a private meeting with President Tinubu in Abuja. He stressed the urgency of these political leaders coming together to address the current challenges facing the nation.

Tinubu declared winner by Supreme Court

The Supreme Court recently dismissed the appeals by Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), affirming President Tinubu’s victory. This landmark decision brought clarity to the nation’s political scene after months of speculation.

Senator Marafa, who was once the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream, mentioned some of the pressing issues faced by Nigerians, particularly the subsidy removal on petrol and the fluctuating exchange rate of the dollar. According to him, the challenges need a unified approach.

He urged the former presidential candidates, Obi and Atiku to recognize that they have exhausted their legal rights to challenge the election results and now need to focus on the welfare of the masses. This includes addressing the nation’s pressing issues which he perceived should be the top priority.

Marafa urged Obi, Atiku to put differences aside

In response to a question about the individuals who took the president to court, Senator Marafa conveyed his wish for Atiku and Obi to put their differences aside and join forces with President Tinubu to move the nation forward, given the challenges across the country.

Having stated from his own experience, Senator Marafa said that when he lost an election, he congratulated the winner and pledged to cooperate with the elected representative to improve his region. Senator Marafa underscored that such a decision ultimately rests with the president. He indicated that the opposition’s conduct post the Supreme Court ruling would likely impact President Tinubu’s choices.

Marafa conveyed his aspiration that the opposition embrace the court’s decision wholeheartedly and offer an olive branch to President Tinubu. He highlighted the crucial need for unity and collaboration in leadership, especially in a multifaceted nation like Nigeria.

Furthermore, Marafa mentioned that his meeting with President Tinubu was not solely a spiritual visit but also an opportunity to delve into Zamfara State’s political dynamics. He enlightened on the historical context and President Tinubu’s influence therein. Senator Marafa championed acknowledgment and appreciation for the APC’s pivotal role in the state’s political achievements.