following the election, de souza decided to nullify the results from atakora, the region where maga received the most votes, on 3 april. outraged, maga formed the assembly of the peoples of the north, which threatened to secede unless he was declared president. he refused to leave his campaign headquarters at parakou even to attend political meetings. maga's reaction to the nullification prompted many southern workers to flee the north. apithy stated that he would convince his region to join nigeria if maga took the presidency and took steps to bribe his way into that office. ahomadégbé-tomêtin claimed maga had defrauded the electoral system to his advantage. in contrast with the other three former presidents, zinsou admitted that he had been defeated and decided participate in bargaining, explaining that he rejected the idea of a coalition "for personal reasons". the other former presidents, on the other hand, agreed to a hasty compromise on 13 april to prevent a civil war.