AS the collation of the 2019 presidential election continues at the national collation centre in Abuja, Nigerians are already urging Abubakar Atiku, the candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to call President Muhammadu Buhari and congratulate him.

So far, Buhari is in clear lead, having won in 11 out of the 18 states that have already announced their results, while Atiku won in just seven.

The states where Buhari won include Ekiti, Osun, Gombe, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Jigawa, Kaduna, Yobe, Nasarawa, and Adamawa.

On the other hand, Atiku won is the FCT, Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Ondo, Anambra states, and Oyo.

Altogether, Buhari has polled a total of 6,153,880 as against Atiku’s 5,149,869

With the results of the other states considered as Buhari’s stronghold yet to be announced, many believe it is only a matter of when not if the APC will be declared the winner of the election.

On social media, several hashtags are already trending, some in celebration of Buhari’s re-election, others in condemnation of what many say was a rigged election, but all pointing towards an imminent victory for the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Some Nigerians, including supporters of the PDP, are asking Atiku to emulate former President Goodluck Jonathan, who called to congratulate Buhari in 2015 even when the final result was yet to be announced, an act which gained Jonathan accolades from far and near.

Dele Momodu, the publisher of Ovation Magazine, who supported the PDP in the election, was one of those who advised Atiku to congratulate Buhari.

“My dear WAZIRIN,” Momodu tweeted, “as a believer, you are aware that only God can give or take power. You’ve written your name in gold. Do not wait a minute longer. Please, pick that phone and call President Muhammadu Buhari. You have much more to gain Sir… Pass on the burden!”

Another PDP supporter, whose Twitter username and handle read ‘Great Oracle‘ and ‘@AbdulMahmud’ respectively, also suggested likewise. He wrote: “This is the outcome: Buhari has won. If the opposition feels it has sufficient evidence to go to the tribunal, fine; but it has become almost a public policy of not upturning presidential elections in Nigeria.

“So, the choice? Make the call to the winner. Let our country move on with its healing; but we must draw lessons…”

Another Twitter user, with the username ‘Ayekooto‘, an APC supporter, wrote rather tauntingly: “It’s time, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, pick your phone and make the call. The network is okay now.”

Below are the posts by some Twitter users who think Atiku should concede victory:

I really think Atiku should call and concede.

Let's perpetuate the pattern of peaceful transitions.

Forget all the APC rigging. The peace of the country is more important.

Also, a lot of people actually voted for Buhari. In fact, it's possible he could have won without rigging

— PSam (@DrFeruke) February 25, 2019

Hello Sir please make the call..Do you need airtime? MTN, Glo or Airtel.. pic.twitter.com/MQ6HqoMX0t

— Dr. Trossard 🦇 ( Body dey pepper me ) (@fimiletoks) February 25, 2019

If Atiku doesn't call to concede I'll be disappointed. A precedence has been set.

— Uncle London (@manmustwack) February 26, 2019

https://twitter.com/Ochobaba/status/1100417951885336576

If there is violence in the country now that stupid boy will run away and be tweeting from abroad! No to violence! Let Atiku concede now!@atiku @renoomokri

— shyshy (@shy_shye) February 26, 2019

https://twitter.com/BillieTaheer/status/1100322012159975430

Just like @GEJonathan create for yourself a special space in history, concede defeat, please @atiku #NigeriaDecides2019 pic.twitter.com/XAqqwTXmgO

— AA Suleiman (@aasuleiman990) February 25, 2019

However, there were many who felt that Atiku should not concede defeat yet as according to them, the election was rigged.

Here are some of the tweets:

Asking Atiku to concede is choosing to overlook the gross evil that we've all been complaining about.
The violence.
The injustice.
The robbery.

If you're one of those saying that all these should be ignored, then you're a problem, a virus to our democracy.

It's that serious.

— Cruce † (@IAmCruce) February 26, 2019

Asking ATIKU to concede for PEACE is a welcome development; but does that correct the anomaly of Election rigging, intimidation and disenfranchising intending voters? there must be a way of addressing all in one #NigeriaElectionMagic #2019Elections

— Ladkings (@ladkings) February 26, 2019

Atiku should not concede. The election was blatantly rigged. https://t.co/kMYp5gAnLL

— Gene Grey (@EuginhoCortez) February 26, 2019

I hope to God Atiku doesn't concede defeat. U can't concede a fight u won ffs!

— Nord (@eaugorji) February 26, 2019

you did not even tell atiku to concede defeat,but to call buhari and congratulate him for taking by force the mandate giving to him by people. this is the worst advice I have seen

— chekwube okonkwo (@chekwubeokonkw2) February 26, 2019

https://twitter.com/BrosMudi/status/1100432342949203968

Saturday’s presidential and national assembly elections threw up major surprises across the states of the federation as many big names lost their seats in the Senate and the Federal House of Representatives.

They include Senate President Bukola Saraki and former Senate minority leader Godswill Akpabio, who many had referred to as traditional election winners. Others are Senators Shehu Sani, Mao Ohabunwa, Andy Ubah, and Binta Garba, who is the only female senator from the Northern region of the country.

There are also the governors of Oyo and Gombe State, Abiola Ajimobi and Ibrahim Dankwambo, whose attempts to transit from the executive arm of government to the legislature were dashed as they lost their respective senatorial elections.