The National Peace Committee has met with the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate in the recently concluded Presidential election, Atiku Abubakar as part of the move to douse what the committee described as rising tension in the country.
Atiku has disagreed with the result as announced by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and vowed to challenge it.
His party, the PDP, has also accused the ruling party of manipulating the outcome of the election, through suppression of votes, intimidation, rigging and other electoral infractions.
But APC denied the allegations, describing the PDP as a sour loser.
In order to stem the palpable tension being generated, the National Peace Committee met with the PDP flag bearer, as well as other leaders of the party in Abuja, including the vice presidential candidate, Peter Obi; PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus; Senate President, Bukola Saraki; and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, which took place at the residence of the PDP Presidential candidate, Gen. Abubakar revealed that 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. We will continue shuttling to see how we can make sure that the peace is maintained,” he said.
Asked if the talks would be extended to the ruling party, Gen. Abubakar said, “Naturally, when you are dealing of course you need to contact all the stakeholders.”
Other members of the committee present at the meeting which was held behind closed doors were the Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Matthew Kukah and the Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan.