Nigeria’s ruling party, The All Progressives Congress (APC), has urged United States President Donald Trump to emulate his Nigerian counterpart, President Muhammadu Buhari, on how best to react to losing an election.
The APC, generally referred to by some of its staunch members as the biggest political party in Africa, made this known in a statement by Secretary of its Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee, John Akpanudoedehe, entitled, “The integrity of a leader is as important as strong institutions’.
The party also condemned the US Capitol Hill riot by pro-Trump protesters and faulted Trump’s refusal to concede defeat in the US November 2020 presidential election.
The statement read, “The events of the past 72hrs in the United States of America is to say the least condemnable. Over time, the elections of the US have been used as a touchstone for elections in other democracies.
“It is settled that strong institutions are fundamental to the sustenance of democracies. However, this US election saga strongly underscores the fact that the integrity of the country’s leader essentially complements the workings of these institutions.
“President Muhammadu Buhari contested and lost elections a couple of times and followed the process through to the Supreme Court on all accounts. This is an outstanding credential of a true democrat.
“Upon ultimately gaining victory in 2015, the APC-led administration has carried out fundamental reforms to strengthen our institutions.
“For instance, non-interference in the functions of INEC. The APC has contested elections; won some, lost some without splitting hairs. In fact, at some point, the APC lost over 5 states to the PDP, yet we allowed democracy to prevail. We have remained resolute in our belief that in every electoral contest, popular will must prevail.”
Akpanudoedehe faulted the Peoples Democratic Party’s position, warning Buhari and APC to concede defeat if they lose in the 2023 general elections.
He said, “This is a far-cry from the days of the do-or-die politics of PDP, where civilians took control of the security apparatus to subvert the people’s will and determine the outcome of elections.
“Electoral reform is a core plank of the programs of the APC-led administration and a legacy that Mr. President has promised to bequeath to Nigerians.
