Timi Frank, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, says posterity will be kind to President George Weah of Liberia for accepting defeat in the recent presidential election.
The Liberian President was defeated in the contested election by rival Dr Joseph Boakai, a veteran politician.
Weah had since accepted defeat in contrast to what normally happens in Africa where leaders don’t easily accept defeat.
The Liberian leader in throwing in the towel said his country ‘won’ even though he lost his bid to retain presidency for a second term.
Reacting, Frank hailed Weah for accepting defeat urging Nigeria leaders to take a cue from the Liberian outgoing leader.
He condemned Nigerian leaders for always trying to grab power by force, saying Liberia has taught Nigeria how to do the right thing.
He also called for Electoral reform in Nigeria, calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, security agencies and other government organisations charged with the conduct of election in the country to be overhauled in other to achieve free, fair and credible elections.
Frank said in a statement on Sunday: “We therefore like to congratulate President-Elect Dr. Joseph Boakai and urge him to use his victory at the Polls to unite the good people of Liberia.
“He must make deliberate efforts to deliver on his campaign promises to the people of Liberia and forgive those who may have worked against him all in a bid to build a more stronger, united and prosperous Liberia for the benefit of all citizens.
“We want him to be reminded that this victory is not for him alone, but for all Africans. This has also shown that if African leaders decide to do the right thing, it can be achieved.
“We would also like to commend President George Opong Weah for his magnanimity in conceding defeat and allowing for a free, fair and credible elections as an incumbent, and to applaud him as he joins the league of distinguished leaders in Africa who have also written their names in gold, such as former President John Mahama of Ghana, former President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria who all conceeded defeat as incumbent Presidents.
“Indeed history will remember you all for the love and courage displayed in the place of compromise for the betterment of your nations.”
According to him, “The recent election in the Republic of Liberia has put to rest the argument of Nigeria being the giant of Africa as all parameters to prove its superiority have gradually diminished to a near zero level.
“The current administration in Nigeria headed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has no moral justification to congratulate President George Weah of Liberia on his acceptance of defeat in the just concluded election as it is an aberration, coming from one who would do anything to grab power, including compromising and corrupting state institutions at any cost whatsoever.
“The Nigerian President ought to hide his head in shame, as he’s not fit to applaud a process he vehemently detests as witnessed in the February 2023 Presidential Poll which usherd in his administration fraught with manipulations and fraud.
“It is on record that no opposition Presidential candidate in the February 2023 Poll has called to congratulate President Tinubu, because of the severity of connivance with state institutions in manipulating the process, which was too glaring to go unnoticed.
“In Nigeria, the opposition candidates do not only contest against the incumbent party, but against INEC, the security agencies and the Judiciary which are supposed to be neutral to all parties and citizens at all times.
“The security agencies, the Judiciary and the Electoral Commission, who are supposed to be neutral, end up being compromised by the ruling party and these dubious politicians and that’s why no opposition candidate congratulated anyone after the polls.
“The effect of this wicked compromise is gradually tilting Nigeria into a one party state as envisioned by these unpatriotic politicians.”
