You’re best for the job, Buhari congratulates Tinubu

Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress candidate who won the 2023 presidential election, has received congratulations from President Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd).

In a statement released on Wednesday by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, Buhari expressed his reaction to Tinubu’s victory.

“His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I congratulate you on your victory. He was chosen by the people and is the most qualified candidate. I will now cooperate with him and his group to ensure a smooth transfer of authority.

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“The election was Africa’s largest democratic exercise. 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.
“The results in Nigeria show that democracy is maturing in our nation. Never in one cycle has the electoral landscape changed so drastically. States across the country changed color during the presidential elections. Some of you may have noticed that one of them is my home state. The victorious candidate did not even win his own state of residence. That takes place during a heated election. Votes cannot be taken for granted, nor can the people who cast them. Each has to be acquired. We need competition in our democracy. There is no doubt that the outcomes we see today reflect the people’s choice.
“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.

“However, to act in the latter way 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.

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“After the inevitable degree of polarization 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 just before the election. Do not undercut INEC’s authority. Let’s now advance collectively. Those in the public have spoken.