Election Controversies: Abdulsalami Meets Atiku

Former head of government in Nigeria, Abdulsalami Abubakar has led the National Peace Committee, which he chairs to meet with Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s 2019 presidential candidate over the outcomes of the Saturday’s polls.

The opposition party’s candidate came second in the election but he has insisted on challenging the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressive’s Congress’ candidate, in court on the basis of gross irregularities.

As a matter of duty for the chairman of National Peace Committee to douse tension that may arise from the camp of the major loser, Abdulsalami held a meeting with Atiku in the latter’s residence on Thursday.

Matthew Kukah, bishop of Sokoto Catholic diocese, and John Onaiyekan, Catholic archbishop of Abuja, attended the meeting.

The politicians in attendance were Peter Obi, Atiku’s running mate; Senate President Bukola Saraki; Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the house of representatives; and Uche Secondus, PDP national chairman.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Abdulsalami said his committee decided to address the disagreement, given its mission to always ensure that there is peace in the country.

“Currently now, tensions are high and we need to see how we can douse the situation. We have come to listen to the grievances from the PDP,” he said.

“We will continue shuttling to see how we can make sure that the peace is maintained.”

Asked if the committee would meet with stakeholders of the ruling party, he said, “Naturally, when you are dealing of course you need to contact all the stakeholders.”