*Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari declares Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s victory at the polls has indicated ‘he is the choice of Nigerians to take them to the next level’ in the West African country

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his victory at the Saturday, February 25, 2023, Presidential polls.

Malam Garba Shehu, March 1, in Abuja, FCT,  Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement issued Wednesday, March 1, noted Buhari said Asiwaju Tinubu’s victory indicated that the former Lagos State Governor is the choice of the Nigerian electorate to take them to the next level in the economy.

The beauty of Nigeria’s new electoral process, by Buhari

President Buhari also stated that the country’s current electoral process has been unusual, pointing out that neither himself nor the President-elect won their home states, the situation he described as an indication that Nigeria’s democracy is ripening.

Speaking on the Presidential election results the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced to Nigerians and the global community early Wednesday, Buhari said: “I congratulate His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu 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.”

The President further noted: “In the presidential elections, states in all regions across the nation changed colour.

“Some among 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.”

According to him, competition is good for our democracy, and there is no doubt that Nigerians’ decision has been rendered in the election results.

Areas of improvement on electoral process

Buhari as well acknowledged that the country’s electoral system is not perfect.

He stated: “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.”

Message to all election candidates

The President, therefore, urged all candidates, who participated in the election process to keep faith with the peace agreement signed days ahead of the elections and refrain from any action capable of undermining the democratic process.

According to Buhari, whoever has any reservations on the elections can take such through the appropriate channels of seeking redress, maintaining that the just concluded elections represent the will of Nigerians.

He said: “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.”

Buhari further noted “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.

“After a degree of polarisation that necessarily accompanies any election, it is now time to come together and act responsibly.”

Buhari added: “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.”