Chinedum Treasure
Labour Party (LP) Senatorial Candidate for Anambra Central, Ven. Tochukwu Ikezue has urged President Bola Tinubu to emulate former President Goodluck Jonathan by conducting a free, fair and credible 2027 general election and peacefully handing over power if defeated.
Ikezue said Tinubu had an opportunity to immortalise his name among respected African leaders by placing the country’s democratic interests above personal political ambition.
He stated this while reacting to the President’s directive authorising security agencies to use full force against political thugs ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The LP candidate welcomed the directive but stressed that Nigerians would judge the President by his actions rather than words, particularly his commitment to ensuring a level playing field for all political parties.
He recalled that Jonathan made history in 2015 when he conceded defeat to the late President Muhammadu Buhari and facilitated a peaceful transfer of power despite being the incumbent.
According to Ikezue, the former President earned international recognition for prioritising Nigeria’s peace and stability over personal political interests.
He said Tinubu had a similar opportunity to strengthen the country’s democratic credentials by ensuring that the people’s votes counted in 2027 and accepting the outcome of a credible election.
Ikezue also condemned reported attacks on political figures and their supporters across the country, including the convoy of Prof. Isa Pantami in Gombe, the ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto, Manir Dan’iya, and the convoy of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Calabar on November 4.
He further cited the reported invasion of the NDC town hall meeting in Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, November 12, describing the incidents as threats to democratic participation.
He urged the President to ensure that security agencies remained neutral, while those responsible for political violence were arrested and prosecuted irrespective of their party affiliations.
The LP candidate also called on Tinubu to allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to operate independently without political interference.
He appealed to political leaders and their supporters to shun violence and concentrate on policies and programmes that would improve the welfare of Nigerians.
Ikezue said the 2027 election should be remembered as one in which Nigerians freely exercised their democratic rights and their votes genuinely determined who emerged as their leaders.
About Author
