As Nigerians celebrate Democracy Day, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo socio-cultural organization has appealed to the 2023 presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party.

Ohanaeze urged Atiku and Obi to stop pursuing their cases at the tribunal and support President Bola Tinubu.

Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze, said Atiku and Obi should support Tinubu with their ideas.

Isiguzoro said both former presidential candidates should support Tinubu in the interest of nationalism and patriotism.

Speaking with the Daily Post, Isiguzoro said: “With the money that Atiku and Peter Obi are using to pursue their cases at the tribunal, we beg the two Nigerian patriots to support Tinubu because the war has ended.

“They should bring ideas to ensure that Nigerians don’t experience severe hardship.

“This is our democracy message to Atiku, Peter Obi, and Nigerians: that though they have the constitutional rights to challenge Tinubu at the tribunal up to the Supreme Court, they should withdraw their cases from the tribunal in the spirit of nationalism and patriotism.

“We know it’s a decision that will be hard for them; their lawyers and supporters will not allow them; but in the spirit of patriotism and one Nigeria they should allow, support this progressive president with the ideas that will move the country from consumption to production.”

Isiguzoro also urged Tinubu to ensure that his appointments reflect his federal character.

He charged the president to consider the Igbos when giving out key appointments.

He added: “In as much as we applaud him, Tinubu should look at the situation of not giving exceptional appointments that will promote ethnicity, religion, or nepotism.

“His appointment must reflect the principle of federal character and ensure that the Southeast gets strong ministries that will transform the region economically and structurally.”

He charged the president to consider releasing Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

“What we are yearning for is that Tinubu should listen to the appeal of the Enugu State governor and release Nnamdi Kanu and end the Monday sit-at-home,” he added.