Buhari congratulates Tinubu; accuses Atiku, Peter Obi of “inflaming” Nigerians

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the winner of the 2023 Presidential Election, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“I congratulate His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory. Elected by the folks, he’s the perfect particular person for the job. I shall now work with him and his group to make sure an orderly handover of energy,” spokesperson Garba Shehu quoted Mr Buhari as saying.

“The election was Africa’s largest democratic train. In a area that has undergone backsliding and navy coups in recent times, this election demonstrates democracy’s continued relevance and functionality to ship for the folks it serves.

“Inside Nigeria, the outcomes reveal democracy’s ripening in our nation. By no means has the electoral map shifted so drastically in a single cycle. Within the presidential elections, states in all areas throughout the nation modified color. Some amongst you’ll have observed my house state amongst them. The successful candidate didn’t carry his own residence state both. That occurs throughout a aggressive election. Votes and people who solid them can’t be taken with no consideration. Every have to be earned. Competitors is sweet for our democracy. There isn’t any doubt the folks’s resolution has been rendered within the outcomes we take a look at as we speak.”

Mr Buhari additionally commented on the reactions of the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Celebration (Atiku Abubakar) and the Labour Celebration (Peter Obi) who accused INEC of compromise and referred to as for the cancellation of the election.

The president continued, “That’s not to say the train was with out fault. For example, there have been technical issues with digital transmission of the outcomes. After all, there will likely be areas that want work to deliver additional transparency and credibility to the voting process. Nevertheless, not one of the points registered signify a problem to the freeness and equity of the elections.

“I do know some politicians and candidates could not agree with this view. That too is ok. If any candidate believes they will show the fraud they declare is dedicated in opposition to them, then deliver ahead the proof. If they can’t, then we should conclude that the election was certainly the folks’s will – irrespective of how exhausting which may be for the losers to simply accept. In the event that they really feel the necessity to problem, please take it to the courts, to not the streets.

“Nevertheless, to do the latter means they don’t seem to be doing it within the curiosity of the folks, however relatively to inflame, to place folks in hurt’s means and all for private, egocentric beneficial properties.

“After a level of polarization that essentially accompanies any election, it’s now time to return collectively and act responsibly. I name on all candidates to recollect the peace pledge they signed simply days earlier than the election. Don’t undermine the credibility of INEC. Allow us to now transfer ahead as one. The folks have spoken.”