Buhari congratulates Tinubu on being elected president

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the victor of this year’s Presidential Election, the candidate of the All Progressives Party, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

President Buhari remarked in response to Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), announcing the results of the presidential election this morning: “I congratulate His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory. He was chosen by the public and is the most qualified candidate. I will now cooperate with him and his group to guarantee a smooth transfer of power.

“The election was Africa’s largest democratic exercise,” the president said. This election shows democracy’s ongoing relevance and capacity to serve the needs of its constituents in a region that has recently experienced backsliding and military coups.

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“The outcomes in Nigeria show that democracy is maturing in our nation. Never in one cycle has the electoral landscape changed so significantly. States around the country changed colour during the presidential elections. Some of you may have noted that one of them is my home state. The victorious candidate did not even win his own state of residence. It takes place amid a heated election. Votes cannot be taken for granted, nor can the people who voted them. Each has to be acquired. We need competition in our democracy. There is little doubt that the outcomes we see now reflect the people’s choice.

“It does not mean that the exercise was error-free. For instance, there were technical issues with the findings’ electronic transmission. There will undoubtedly be some areas that require improvement in order to increase the voting process’s credibility and transparency. Yet, none of the concerns submitted pose a threat to the elections’ integrity or fairness.

“I am aware that certain politicians and candidates may not share my opinion. That’s also okay. Bring the facts forward if any contender believes they can substantiate the fraud they allege was committed against them. Even while it may be difficult for the losers to accept, if they are unable to, then we must draw the conclusion that the election did indeed reflect the will of the people. Please use the courts, not the streets, if they feel the need to challenge.

“Yet, to act in the latter fashion indicates that they are not acting in the best interests of the populace but rather to incite conflict, put people in danger, and pursue their own, selfish interests.

“Following the inevitable degree of divisiveness that follows every election, it is now time to unite and take responsibility. I urge all candidates to keep in mind the peace commitment they made immediately before the election. Do not undercut INEC’s authority. Let’s now advance collectively. Those in the public have spoken.

(ThisDAY)