The Ohanaeze Ndigbo socio-cultural group has made an appeal to the PDP's Atiku Abubakar and the Labour Party's Peter Obi, who are running for president in 2023, as Nigerians Celebrate Democracy Day.
Atiku and Obi were asked by Ohanaeze to back President Bola Tinubu instead of continuing their legal battles at the tribunal.
The Secretary-General of Ohanaeze, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, advised Atiku and Obi to back Tinubu with their suggestions.
Both past candidates for president, according to Isiguzoro, should back Tinubu in the name of nationalism and patriotism.
In an interview with Bendelnews, Isiguzoro stated: "We implore the two Nigerian patriots to back Tinubu with the funds that Atiku and Peter Obi are using to continue their claims at the tribunal because the war has ended.
"They ought to make suggestions to prevent terrible suffering for Nigerians.
Atiku, Peter Obi, and Nigerians should withdraw their claims from the tribunal in the name of nationalism and patriotism even if they are constitutionally entitled to challenge Tinubu at the tribunal all the way to the Supreme Court.
"We know it will be a difficult decision for them, and their lawyers and supporters won't let 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," the statement reads.
Isiguzoro asked Tinubu to make sure that the people he appoints have a federal perspective.
He urged the president to take the Igbos into account when making key appointments.
As much as we commend him, he continued: "Tinubu should consider the issue of not making unusual selections that will promote ethnicity, religion, or favouritism.
"His appointment must adhere to the federal character principle and guarantee that the Southeast receives powerful ministries that will change the region's economic and structural dynamics."
He urged the president to take Nnamdi Kanu, the head of IPOB, into consideration for release.
We are hoping that Tinubu will heed the governor of Enugu State's plea, release Nnamdi Kanu, and put an end to the weekly Monday stay-at-home.