The opposition has been urged to allow President Bola Tinubu to concentrate on governance, now that all litigations on the 25 February presidential election have been concluded.
Olubadan of Ibadanland, Ọba Lekan Balogun CFR, Alli Okunmade II, made the appeal in reaction to the conclusion of the litigations arising from the election won by Tinubu at the Supreme Court last Thursday.
The first-class traditional ruler, in a congratulatory message to the president, urged the opposition to shun all forms of actions and utterances that could distract the Tinubu administration from giving the country good governance.
Ọba Balogun saluted the tenacity of purpose and commitment displayed by both Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Mr. Peter Obi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), respectively while the litigations lasted.
The paramount ruler of Ibadanland, in a press statement by Oladele Ogunsola, his Personal Assistant (Media), however said: “With the Supreme Court verdict, the election has been won and lost and it is time to move on.
“There is a time for everything and the time we are in now is for governance and time to put politics aside.
“The condition of our dear country now calls for concerted efforts on the part of all, irrespective of political party, religious or ethnic persuasions. That is what patriotism dictates.
“You have all fought a good fight and destiny has manifested concerning individuals concerned and this is time to see Nigeria as the ‘political party’ we all belong to.
“[Let us] work towards winning all the battles being contested such as insecurity, unemployment, hunger, hyper inflation, infrastructural deficit and what have you.
“To President Tinubu, I say hearty congratulations to him and admonish him to be magnanimous in victory.
“It is only God that gives power to whoever He chooses and, as God has chosen him at a time like this, Tinubu needs open arm and open heart.
“A broadminded person that he is, this is the time to allow that virtue to really manifest.”
Ọba Balogun averred that it could not be said that the litigations slowed down governance while they lasted in view of the breath-taken actions of Mr. President, it could not be also said that there were no distractions.
He maintained that there should now be total and absolute concentration on how to deliver on the renewed hope mantra, the platform upon which Tinubu won the election in February.
“Nigerians are eager for better life and justifiably, so it is time for Mr. President to double up on his activities to put smiles on the faces of the people.
“And, as noted earlier, the government needs the support of all, politicians and non-politicians alike. If it is only prayer we have to offer, don’t let us be stingy about it.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us and it is in our interest and the unborn generations that we get it right this time and through the Jagaban Borgu.
“I urge the president and his team to put the fear of God in whatever they do and, by so doing, they would gain the confidence of the people.
“The moment the confidence is there on the part of the generality of the people, attainment of success is almost certain.
“Once again, I say a big congratulations to Mr. President and his vice, Sen Kashim Shettima, with a prayer that the Almighty Allah will journey with them and grant them resounding success,” Olubadan stated.
