By Ogochukwu Isioma
Following the declaration of his party’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, as president-elect, President Muhammadu Buhari has promised a smooth handover of power come May 29, 2023.
Buhari made the pledge in a congratulatory message to the former Lagos governor, via a statement signed by his senior spokesman, Garba Shehu, and made available to newsmen Wednesday morning.
Describing Tinubu as the best man for the job, Buhari noted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate was elected by the people, adding, “I shall now work with him and his team to ensure an orderly handover of power.”
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, on Wednesday, in Abuja, declared Tinubu as winner of the February 25, 2023 presidential election with 8,794,726 votes.
Tinubu defeated his closest rival, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 6,984,520 votes, with Peter Obi of Labour Party (LP) coming third with 6,101,533 votes, and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) taking fourth place with 1,496,687 votes.
According to Buhari, “There is no doubt the people’s decision has been rendered in the results we look at today. 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 the nation changed colour.
”Some amongst you may have noticed my home state amongst 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.”
On the technical problems with electronic transmission of the results by INEC, President Buhari said efforts would be intensified to bring further transparency and credibility to the voting procedure in the country.
He, however, added that none of the issues raised represent a challenge to the freeness and fairness of the election, saying those who do not agree are free to approach the courts.
“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.
“However, to do the latter 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,” the president noted.
To the other candidates that took part in the presidential poll, President Buhari said it was now time to come together and act responsibly, even as he encouraged them to abide by the peace accord they signed before the conduct of the election.
”Do not undermine the credibility of INEC. Let us now move forward as one. The people have spoken,” President Buhari added.
President Buhari had on 14th February inaugurated members of the Presidential Transition Council, for facilitating and managing the 2023 transition programme, with Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, as Chairman.
