PDP Chieftain , Ijebor raises concern over Tinubu’s attack on Bishops, urges credible 2027 elections

By David Odama

A Frontline member of the major opposition People’s Democratic party (PDP), Engr Anselm Ijebor has expressed concern over recent remarks by President Bola Tinubu during his meeting with Catholic Bishops at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, saying he was left saddened rather than angry by the President’s public outburst.

Engr Ijebor who is a Chieftain of the People’s Democratic party, said after listening repeatedly to the President’s comments, he was convinced that the Tinubu he heard was different from the man he knew long before being saddled with the leadership of governing Nigeria.

According to him, his concern is not driven by politics but by genuine compassion for the President.

“That was not the Bola Tinubu I knew and admired long before now. I’m left deeply concerned with the out burst of the president”.

The building and construction engineer said unlike many Nigerians who have reacted with anger, he genuinely feels pity for the President, expressing concern that those around him appear to be more interested in securing another electoral victory than paying attention to the wellbeing of other Nigerians.

“If they truly love him, they should put the nation’s wellbeing above every consideration. comportment and the national interest shouldn’t not be sacrifice for politics,” he said.

He warned that the nation’s challenges should never become a basis for undermining Nigeria’s democracy or compromising the integrity of future elections.

Engr Ijebor recalled that Nigeria made history in 2015 when former President Goodluck Jonathan accepted defeat and peacefully handed over power after the presidential election, describing the development as a major milestone in the country’s democratic journey.

According to him, the political party that produced President Tinubu was the beneficiary of that democratic maturity, adding that the country must not be allowed to reverse those gains.

He insisted that the 2027 general election must meet and even surpass the credibility standard established in 2015.

“Let it be on record across Nigeria and beyond that any election that falls short of the 2015 democratic standard will not be acceptable to Nigerians or to Nigeria’s friends across the world,” he said.

He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and other democratic institutions to remain impartial and carry out their constitutional responsibilities with professionalism.

He stressed that Nigeria’s democracy is greater than the ambition of any individual, political party or group, urging all stakeholders, other Nigerians to safeguard the country’s democratic institutions, adding that excellence, should be prioritize in 2027 by electing leaders ready to salvage the country.

“This is a defining moment. We owe future generations a democracy stronger than the one we inherited. Nigeria must move forward, not backwards,” Anselm Ijebor appealed.

On the Daniel Bwala’s comment Bwala while reacting to the president’s remarks during a meeting with the Catholic Bishops, Engr Ijebor urged Nigerians not to take him serious insisting that he was not speaking Christian Association of Z Nigeria (CAN)

According Ijebor, warned Against move to divide the Christians adding that Christianity remain one body of Christ.

On the claim by Bwala that the Catholic institution supported Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election, the PDP Chieftain cautioned that Christian bodies should not be dragged into politics rather be left to remain body of Christ