Published January 10, 2021
Sodiq Oyeleke
The All Progressives Congress has urged US President Donald Trump to emulate his Nigerian counterpart , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd .) , after losing an election .
The APC made this known in a statement by its Secretary of its Caretaker and Extra -ordinary Convention Planning Committee , John Akpanudoedehe , titled , “ 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 .
It stated that in instances where Buhari was dissatisfied with the outcome of an election , he approached the court for redress .
The PUNCH reports that Trump ’s supporters had stormed a session of Congress held Wednesday to certify Joe Biden ’s election win, triggering unprecedented chaos and violence at the heart of American democracy and accusations the president was attempting a coup .
Hours after an extraordinary rally by Trump seeking to overturn the election , a flag -waving mob broke down barricades outside the Capitol and swarmed inside , rampaging through offices and onto the usually solemn legislative floors .
At least five persons died in the riot generally believed to be incited by the US president .
The statement read, “ The events of the past 72 hrs 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 .
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“ 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 statement warning Buhari and APC to concede defeat if they are defeated 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 .
“ Therefore the statements by the PDP are merely designed to gain political mileage and only reinforces the disinformation on all issues , which the PDP constantly and laboriously pursues at all times. The positions taken by PDP Governors against these institutional reforms are in the public domain . ”