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If losers feel the need to challenge the Election Results, they should take it the Court and not the streets. To do otherwise is to inflame and put the Nigerian people in Harm’s way – President Buhari
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Tinubu says,”I’m ready to listen and take difficult route in ensuring that Nigerians see better days ahead in a country of their Dream.”
Following the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the 2023 presidential election, congratulatory messages have begun to trickle in.
Earlier, The New Diplomat reported that the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been declared winner of the 2023 presidential election.
According to the results announced by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, Tinubu polled a total of 8,794,726 to defeat his closest rivals and candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi of the Labour Party(LP) who scored 6,984, 520 and 6,101,533 respectively.
Reacting to the victory, president-elect, Tinubu hailed INEC for the conduct of the 2023 Presidential elections.
Tinubu, in his acceptance speech, appreciated Nigerians for giving him the mantle for the next four years, saying, he is ready to listen and take a difficult route in ensuring Nigerians see better days ahead in the country of their dreams.
He stated this at the APC Presidential Campaign Council headquarters in Abuja shortly after he was declared the winner of the presidential poll.
The former Lagos State governor said, “I am profoundly humbled that you have elected me to serve as the 16th President of our beloved Republic. This is a shinning moment in the life of any man and affirmation of our democratic existence. From my heart, I say thank you.
“Whether you are Batified, Atikulated, Obidient, Kwankwasiyya, or have any other political affiliation, you voted for a better, more hopeful nation and I thank you for your participation and dedication to our democracy.
“You decided to place your trust in the democratic vision of a Nigeria, founded on shared prosperity and one nurtured by the ideals of unity, justice, peace and tolerance. Renewed hope has dawned in Nigeria.
“We commend INEC for running a free and fair election. The lapses that did occur were relatively few in number and were immaterial to the final outcome. With each cycle of elections, we steadily perfect this process so vital to our democratic life.
“Today, Nigeria stands tall as the giant of Africa. It shines even brighter as the continent’s biggest democracy.
“I thank all who supported my campaign. From President Buhari who adeptly led my campaign as its chairman, to my Vice Presidential Candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima.”
President Muhammadu Buhari in a congratulatory message to the winner of the (2023) Presidential Election, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC, described him as the best man for the job.
The congratulatory message which was siged by Garba Shehu Senior Special Assistant on media, President Buhari reads, “I congratulate His Excellency @officialABAT on his victory. Elected by the people, he is the best person for the job. I shall now work with him and his team to ensure an orderly handover of power. The election was Africa’s largest democratic exercise. In a region that has undergone backsliding and military coups in recent years, this election demonstrates democracy’s continued relevance and capability to deliver for the people it serves. Within Nigeria, the results reveal democracy’s ripening in our country. Never has the electoral map shifted so drastically in one cycle.
“In the presidential elections, States in all regions across Nigeria changed colour. Some amongst you may have noticed my home State among them. The winning candidate did not carry his own home State either. That happens during a competitive election. Votes and those that cast them cannot be taken for granted. Each must be earned. Competition is good for our democracy. There is no doubt the people’s decision has been rendered in the results we look at today.
“That is not to say the exercise was without fault. For instance, there were technical problems with electronic transmission of the results. Of course, there will be areas that need work to bring further transparency and credibility to the voting procedure. However, none of the issues registered represent a challenge to the freeness and fairness of the elections.
“I know some politicians and candidates may not agree with this view. That too is fine. If any candidate believes they can prove the fraud they claim is committed against them, then bring forward the evidence. If they cannot, then we must conclude that the election was indeed the people’s will – no matter how hard that may be for the losers to accept. If they feel the need to challenge, please take it to the courts, not to the streets.
“To take to the streets means they are not doing it in the interest of the people, but rather to inflame, to put people in harm’s way and all for personal, selfish gains. After a degree of polarization that necessarily accompanies any election, it is now time to come together and act responsibly. I call on all candidates to remember the peace pledge they signed just days before the election.
“Do not undermine the credibility of INEC. Let us now move forward as one.
The people have spoken.
“God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Also, the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan has congratulated the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu and the Vice President-elect, Sen. Kashim Shettima on their election victory.
Lawan’s congratulatory message was contained in a release issued Wednesday by his Special Adviser (Media), Mr Ola Awoniyi.
He stated that the victory affirmed the trust of the Nigerian people in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidates.
The statement reads: “I congratulate the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, and the Vice President-elect, Sen. Kashim Shettima, on their resounding victory in Saturday’s Presidential Election.
“The Election was hard-fought on all sides. So this victory is very sweet and will be savoured for a long time by our great party, the APC and our supporters throughout Nigeria and across the world.
“This victory affirms the trust of the Nigerian people in our great party, the APC and its candidates.
“However, it is also a challenge to us to continue the progressive development of our dear nation, Nigeria, in line with the agenda of our party.
“Nigerians have spoken unequivocally with their votes in their endorsement of that agenda and the Renewed Hope Compact that you, our flag bearers, presented during the campaigns.
“This is because of your sterling track records in public service. We are confident that you will competently and faithfully deliver on that compact.
“The outcome of the election is a seal of approval by the Nigerian people of the performance of the Government of the APC in the last eight years.
“I commend President Buhari for sustaining confidence in our party. We are also proud of him for his statesmanship in ensuring a level playing field for all the contestants and respecting INEC.
“I also congratulate our great party, the APC, for this election victory. I rejoice with my colleagues; senators-elect and members-elect of the House of Representatives over their triumph at the polls.
“I wish to assure the President-elect of the full cooperation and support of the Ninth National Assembly in the transition process until the end of our tenure on June 11.
“I am also confident that the 10th Assembly will avail the incoming administration of President-elect, Bola Tinubu similar cooperation and support to deliver on its mandate to the Nigerian people.
“To my dear colleagues of the incoming 10th Assembly, they should please bear in mind that all eyes are now on them because Nigerians are looking forward to what they have in store for the country.
“The tasks of nation-building that lie ahead are enormous. But with determination and patriotic zeal, these tasks will be achieved.
“May God continue to bless our beloved Nigeria and our great party, the APC,”Lawan said.
