RE: Enough Is enough, Tinubu Blasts Aggrieved Presidential Candidates

2023 Presidential Election: “Bury the hatchets, end the conflicts and acrimony, let peace reign and move on” —Adesanya-Davies

The Country President of United Nations POLAC, Positive Livelihood Award Centre, a frontline female Politician, Presidential Candidate of MAJA, in 2019 election, Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, a Communication Arts expert, in the field of Applied Linguistics, a Don and a lecturer in Port Harcourt has wedged in, on the issue of the 2023 Presidential Nigeria decides.

Responding to the breaking news publication of today 26 March titled: “Enough Is enough, Tinubu Blasts Aggrieved Presidential Candidates” Amb. Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies encourages and advises both the Aggrieved Presidential Candidates and the President-elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to bury their hatchets, end their conflicts and acrimony, let peace reign and move on.

She said, “Somebody must be declared winner, and the seat is just for one person to sit on, while others join to support. It’s time to unite and move on to ‘Make Nigeria Great Again’, in a ‘Renewed Hope and move from ‘Consumption to Production’ as they all promised us in their slogans and assured Nigerians. If you actually love the Nation, Nigeria, it’s time to speak  and encourage your supporters to cooperate, let the wounds healed, in light of the outcome of the presidential elections, for God sake! Where two elephants fight, the grass suffers!

She added, “Kindly remember that the four years will soon elapse, like a student’s term of a first degree in the university, like a blink, in a twinkling of an eye- The four years will soon expire and be over! “Come to think of it, I have lectured in the University for thirty-eight years (38)! 4×10 is 40!, and it’s still counting.” We can’t continue like this. I beg you all!

INEC results stated that, “The APC, PDP and Labour parties each won twelve states (12) each. It was evident the competition and results were quite keen. It’s time to put aside gut, pride, ego, feelings and emotions and focus on what’s ahead of us, because Nigerians are suffering, the land is bleeding from insurgents and the people are unhappy.”

Adesanya-Davies spoke because, the “President-elect, Senator Bola Tinubu, has raised the alarm over an allegedly orchestrated plot to truncate his formal inauguration in May.

“Tinubu who spoke through his Director, of Public Affairs, Festus Keyamo, ( SAN) said the masterminds of the plot were behind recent protests in the Federal Capital Territory, aimed at inciting Nigerians to reject the outcome of the presidential elections.

“The president-elect who alleged that certain candidates who lost out in the presidential race and their backers were scheming for an Interim National Government warned against such moves which he noted were against provisions of the Constitution.

Festus Keyamo, ( SAN) who revealed that relevant security agencies have been informed of the plot to truncate the transition process warned those behind it to desist.

“Enough is enough. Their continuous determination to dare us should cease forthwith. We are not lacking in capabilities and capacities. Our silence should not be taken for cowardice.”

“He maintained that aggrieved presidential candidates should wait for the pronouncements of the judiciary on their petitions before the Court.

The statement read in part: “We have watched with great concern the condemnable activities of some persons and groups who are desirous of truncating our democracy. For reasons best known to them, these persons have remained embittered that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was declared the winner of the 2023 General Elections.

Repeatedly, but unfortunately, these misguided individuals have called for either the cancellation of the results or that the President-elect should not be inaugurated on the 29th of May, 2023.

“We wish to reiterate and emphasise that these positions are not in tandem with our constitutional provisions or our electoral laws. We would have taken these as mere wishful thinking, however, because of their implications for national security and public order, we have therefore considered it necessary, if not expedient, to call them to order.

“We are aware of the intentions of those engaged in these treasonable and subversive acts. We also know those involved in the many plots being contrived to undermine the transition in particular and democracy in general. They are fixated on an Interim Government. They have done it in this country before and it threw the country into avoidable crises for many years and they want to do it again.

They are bent on delegitimizing the new government. Some have made treasonable insinuations and openly called for military take-over. It is for these reasons that they are desperate to incite the people against the incoming Government.

“It is perplexing to see that those contesting the results want to be in the courts and on the streets at the same time. However, if they intend to truncate the inauguration of the President-elect and Vice-President-elect, they should immediately bury the thought. It is gratifying to note that the President has set in motion steps for the actualisation of the swearing-in ceremonies.

In this regard, the Presidential Transition Council has remained focused and committed to its terms of reference in respect of organizing a hitch-free handover.

“On many occasions after the declaration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the winner of the election, his public speeches and utterances have centred on reconciliation, forgiveness and a greater vision for Nigeria.

He has pledged fairness as the basis for his present and future engagements. He has unequivocally stated that he would not accord favour to those that supported him, and neither would he mistreat those who did not vote for him.

This is statesmanly and patriotic. We all watched the President-elect as Governor of Lagos for eight (8) years. He never undermined any person or tribe. He championed people-oriented policies. It is common knowledge that he is a welfarist and a pacifist. This is even more so that millions of citizens have spoken through the ballot box in his favour.

“By being declared winners, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shettima are legally entitled to be inaugurated into office as provided for by law and As we have practised since 1999, whilst those that feel otherwise have the right to seek legal redress in court. Why should their situation be different from what we have practised since 1999?

“Those who are dissatisfied with the declaration must conduct themselves within the ambit of the law. Nigeria is not a lawless country and should not be portrayed as such no matter the frustrations presently being exhibited by some bad losers.

“Those who are stoking the embers of hate, division and falsehoods as well as peddling misleading narratives through some compromised media outlets should detract from such. It amounts to campaigning after elections. Hate speeches, fake news and propaganda at a time like this are needless because Nigerians have already made their choice. Those who are bent on scuttling the process will ignite the fire of destruction and run away. But they should not even start.

“We simply wish that peace reigns in the country. It does not make sense that some persons who should know better are encouraging violence and are so determined to achieve that. We know these persons and their sponsors from within and outside Nigeria and we shall be working closely with the security agencies to apprehend them and bring them to book.

Our concern is that everyday Nigerians who are unaware of the evil intentions of these persons should not be used as cannon fodders. Enough is enough. Their continuous determination to dare us should cease forthwith. We are not lacking in capabilities and capacities. Our silence should not be taken for cowardice. We should come together for the peace of our beloved country. It is better.”

Chief Femi Fanikayode in the same vein similarly write to the Nigerian opposition, represented by the followers of Atiku Abubakar (Atikulators) and the followers of Peter Obi (Obidients) on the need to get a grip before it is too late.

“They are attempting to start something that they cannot finish and that they cannot possibly fathom the end of.
They are beating the drums of war and are indulging in a level of irresponsible and downright dangerous behaviour that has NEVER been witnessed before in the annals of the history of our politics…

“Be rest assured that had it not been for impartiality, strong resolve, persistent interventions and sheer professionalism of our intelligence agencies and particularly the DSS who have worked day and night to keep the peace and stop us from tearing each other apart, we would have trod that disastrous path and met a bitter end long ago.

The signals are not good and, unless they exercise restraint, reflect sobriety and change course quickly, it is clear that our nation will soon find itself in a cataclysmic and monumental struggle between the forces of light and darkness, the likes of which have never been seen before.

The advice is as follows in full: “Peace is priceless and unity is a fundamental pre-requisite to progress and prosperity: you must learn to cherish them both.That you have lost today does not mean you will lose forever.

I counsel you to calm down, purge yourself of hate, sheath your sword of war, drop your dastardly gameplan and not so hidden agenda to establish an Interim Government, desist from displaying madness, bend the knee and bow to your President-elect, refrain from weaponising falsehood, act within the law and, if you must, make your protestations quietly in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility and there will be no problems.

Go to court, if you must, and state your case with respect, dignity and decorum and I assure you that, no matter the outcome, there will be NO issues. That is what democracy and the rule of law is all about. You win some and you lose some.

That is the reasonable, rational and responsible attitude and disposition that you should cultivate, display, engender and reflect. That is the path to peace.

However if you continue to say you do not believe in the system or institutions, that the President-elect must not be sworn in under any circumstances and that you have no faith in the courts or the rule of law and you encourage people to take the law into their own hands then you are inviting chaos, anarchy, violence, tyranny, fascism, treason, a breach of the constitution and the law of the jungle and we will NOT sit by idly and allow that.

If you continue to incite, intimidate, threaten, provoke, destabilise, undermine and overheat the polity and breach the rules of engagement all hell will break lose. Our only “crime” was to win an election yet because you cannot bear the fact that you lost you want to pull the whole house down and burn everyone in it.

Let this serve as a timely warning. We cannot be a punching bag for the opposition forever and soon we will react. Trust me when I tell you that if there is any foul play in this matter or any conspiracy to thwart the people’s will we will make this nation ungovernable.

There can be no more cheating, no more subterfuge, no more games and no more dastardly tricks. We have seen enough of that over the last 63 years of our national existence. Do NOT test our will or underestimate our firm resolve.

We speak for the silent and peaceful majority and, unlike the opposition, we cut across all regional, ethnic and religious lines. We do not represent just one faith or just one tribe.

We represent all faiths and all tribes and our supporters can be found everywhere in this country. We are the hope and promise of a better future shrouded in glory, unity, peace, strength and prosperity for our nation.

There are millions of us all over this country and when we say that we will stand on Bola Tinubu’s mandate and defend it, we mean it. We are not joking and we are not playing games. We have prepared for it, we have the means to do so and we WILL do so.

I implore you in the name of God not to mistake our relative silence, calm disposition, magnanimity and attempt to reach out in peace as weakness, stupidity or an indication of fear or guilt. I urge you not to “cry havoc and let loose the dogs of war”.

The bottom line is as follows. Annul Asiwaju’s election and we will annul your brain. We have returned to the trenches.
Those that kindle fire shall be consumed by it. Those that invoke the spirit of war shall be destroyed by it.
Those that wish to truncate our democracy shall be crushed by it. And those that seek peace, unity, justice, progress and fair play shall find it. The people have spoken. God has approved it.

If you want to steal our mandate you will have to kill every single one of us and be ready to spend the next twenty to thirty years in a massive regional conflagration and major conflict. This is NOT our prayer and no sane person wants war.

However we shall not shirk away from it if is forced upon us by those that are hell bent on robbing us, suppressing us, enslaving US, cheating us and turning us into pawns and vassals of their vain and obsessive delusions, their wicked, vicious and relentless disposition of tyranny and their unbridled and insatiable lust for power.

There are some things that are worth fighting and, if necessary, dying for and democracy, fair play, truth, the rule of law, righteousness and justice are amongst them.
Let that sink and let peace reign. A word is enough for the wise.” (FFK)

Adesanya-Davies asks, “How will the 2023 Presidential elections be adjudged free and fair when the opposition didn’t win? How will the two opposition’s both PDP and Labour Party claimed to have win the same election? Do they both want the court to adjudge them to be become the President and the Vice? This is ridiculous, incredible and impossible.”

The truth and facts as another lecturer, Dr Abubakar Alkali posited and wrote is that, “A major problem with elections in Nigeria, Africa and the entire developing world is the culture of rejection of results by the opposition political parties whenever they lose elections regardless of whether the election was rigged or not.
It appears that for any election to be free and fair in Nigeria, the opposition must win it.

“When the Labour Party won Lagos in the Presidential election, it was free and fair but when it lost the Guber election in the same Lagos state, it was heavily rigged. Ditto for Ebonyi, Plateau, Nassarawa and Delta states.

“The major difference between the western democracy and African democracy is that there is a culture of magnanimity in defeat by the losers in western democracy which is lacking in Africa.
In western democracies, losers of elections accept defeat, join hands with the winners in the national interest. They pull back and restrategise for the next election.

“You hardly hear of election petitions, the so-called ‘Supreme Court final verdict’, appeal court injunctions, federal high court judgement, election petition tribunals (which gulps huge amount of money and in
which sittings are usually beamed live on very expensive TV coverage) etc etc in western democracies. On the other hand, some candidates in African democracies usually hire lawyers to prepare their petitions even before the election knowing full well that they are going to lose it.

Unfortunately, huge amount of money is spent on the so-called ‘Supreme Court final verdict’, election petition tribunals, appeal court judgement, federal high court injunctions etc etc.

Importantly, to date, no bandit or terrorists has been convicted by Nigeria’s extremely weak justice system yet election cases are dispensed with dispatch.

“The opposition in Nigeria has a do-or-die mentality. If I don’t win, let everybody lose.
The opposition easily forget that the overriding issue is the national interest not personal political ambition. If you chase the President in court, where will he find the time to focus on making a successful tenure?

Now the opposition are trying to force a change of government through unconstitutional means by overheating the polity but their antics will not fly.”

Adesanya-Davies further explains, “There is no provisions for such Interim government or refusal to hand over to the President-elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu by President Muhammadu Buhari in the Nigerian constitution.”

In view of the 2023 Presidential Election: “Bury the hatchets, end the conflicts and acrimony, let peace reign and move on,” says Adesanya-Davies .

In related news, “The Presidency on Friday 24, has debunked the report that President Muhammadu Buhari said he will not hand over to the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

“The Presidency described the said report as fake, adding that all preparations are in top gear for the handover activities and that the committee in charge of the handover is made up of the representatives of the government and that of the President-elect.

It said already, President Buhari’s Daura community has started preparations to receive their son back after the successful administration of the country for two terms of eight years.

A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, stated: “The Presidency wishes to denounce as outrageous and fake, and condemns the fake news brigade for attributing a false quote to President Muhammadu Buhari and circulating it.

“How can you vigorously campaign for somebody, vote for him and then say you won’t hand over to him? This beggars belief. The news is pretty pathetic since their ownership is politically partisan in today’s politics, in fact, a loser in the presidential election. Instead of talking about issues, they repeatedly sell lies in the hope that people believe them as truth.

“The government is already in a transition phase. The Transition Committee made up of representatives of the outgoing administration and the incoming one is meeting on an almost daily basis to plan the handover to the Tinubu/Shettima administration.

“Thirteen committees as offshoots of the main committee, some, to arrange military drills and pulling out of President Buhari, are either all at work or soon to be. So far, everything is going very well and there is no indication of any hitches.

“As for the President, the Daura community has begun their preparations to receive their son back after the successful administration of the country for two terms of eight years. He, for his part, is eager to return home to enjoy his retirement.”

PMA – Voice of Voiceless Nigerians (VVN).