The African Director, International Association of World Peace Advocates (a United Nations affiliate), Ambassador Dr. John Chukwudi Metchie, has commended the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate for Plateau State, Dr. Patrick Dakum for congratulating the winner of the election, Caleb Mutfwang of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
It would be recalled that the LP candidate had, a few minutes after the official result was announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Monday, called Mutfwang on phone, congratulated and wished him well.
Reacting to the development, the African Director of IAWPA, Metchie, said Patrick Dakum’s action by sending congratulatory message to Mutfwang few minutes after the result was announced, is was a shouting testimony that the LP candidate is a true democrat with a benevolent spirit of sportsmanship.
According to Metchie, who is also the Prime Minister, Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), early congratulation of the winner of an election by an opponent, is a sure way to douse tension and avoid violent reactions by supporters of candidates.
According to him, congratulating a person declared winner does not foreclose the possibility of seeking redress through legal means, if the candidate, after consulting stakeholders, finds out the announced result was not a true reflection of the votes cast.
Chief Metchie therefore called on politicians at all levels in the country, to eschew politics of bitterness and acrimony.
He called on all those who have won elections, from the presidency, governors, national and state assemblies, to resolve to provide quality leadership in order to reduce the suffering of the people as well as to develop the country.
He said- “I wish to commend by very good friend, the Labour Party governorship candidate for Plateau State, Dr. Patrick Dakum for calling and congratulating the declared winner of the election, Mr. Caleb Mutfwang.
“Dr. Dakum, has by the action, proved those who described him as a people-oriented leader to be right. He has proved that his mission in politics was to serve the people and not to enrich himself.
“His action is a positive deviation from the do-or-die route that is the pathway for desperate politicians.
“I therefore call on other politicians to avoid politics of desperation, bitterness, rigging, violence and other negative actions that have combined to retard Nigeria’s march to greatness.
“As we round off the 2023 general election, I, on behalf of the International Association for World Peace Advocates, call on all winners and those who did not win, to work together at all levels, to provide quality leadership to Nigeria.
“Above all, we are committed to waging peace across Nigeria, for the benefit of the over 200 million people that make up the country,” Metchie said.