My election was truthful, credible, Tinubu says; speaks on govt of nationwide unity

The president-elect, Bola Tinubu, has said that the presidential election was ‘truthful and credible’ and that he is not going to be confined by political consideration in assembling his authorities.

Mr Tinubu, in an announcement on Thursday, mentioned he’ll transcend forming a authorities of nationwide unity, slightly, he’ll kind “a authorities of nationwide competence.”

“There was discuss of a authorities of nationwide unity. My goal is increased than that. I search a authorities of nationwide competence. In choosing my authorities, I shall not be weighed down by issues extraneous to capacity and efficiency,” he mentioned.

The previous Lagos State governor polled 8.7 million votes to defeat 17 different candidates within the 25 February presidential election. Nevertheless, a number of opposition events have opposed the result of the election and a few have commenced the authorized course of to problem the end result.

The candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Get together have commenced the method to problem the result.

As a result of how divisive the 2023 electoral course of has been, pundits have inspired the president-elect to kind a authorities of nationwide unity in a bid to unite the nation.

Mr Tinubu, in his assertion, reiterated that the election was “truthful and credible”, noting that different candidates are inside their rights to problem the result in courtroom.

Barring no judicial intervention, Mr Tinubu is predicted to be sworn in on 29 Could.

Right here is the complete assertion

A good, credible election has been held and has been received. The consideration of that victory and the steep accountability it entails has fallen on me. I say this to not gloat or boast as a result of there is no such thing as a room for such habits. I merely state the information as they’re.

I understand many good and well-meaning Nigerians voted for different candidates. They’re naturally disenchanted that their favored candidate didn’t win. Different candidates have voiced their dissatisfaction, stating they’ll go to courtroom to contest the election. That is inherent to the democratic course of. We defend their proper to hunt authorized recourse. Whereas they train the authorized rights afforded them in our democracy, I’ve set my course and thoughts on the management of this nation. We have now necessary work to do and I’m dedicated to getting that work performed for the advantage of all of the individuals, whether or not or not they voted for me and even voted in any respect.

This isn’t the time for continued acrimony and partisan recrimination. These detrimental issues can incite sturdy passions; however they don’t seem to be the pathway to a greater nation. Solely unity and nationwide dedication can serve that objective..

Critics of Nigeria have been too fast to conclude that our political system is fragmented due to the spectacular displaying of latest events and their candidates. These critics are fallacious. The emergence of the brand new events and their candidates underscores the dynamic power of our democracy. Individuals need democracy to work they usually need to have their voices heard and pursuits met inside it. It is a good factor to be promoted, not one thing to be feared.

What should concern us just isn’t the expansion of events however the regrowth of outdated prejudices and bigotries similar to ethnicity, creed and fatherland. As a nation and as people imbued with the love of God and of our fellow man, we’re higher than this. In some unspecified time in the future we should resolve whether or not we will be enticed by the ills of the previous or we could extra bravely and nobly be inspired by the eminent prospect of a brighter future.

There have been occasions in our previous when our governing establishments created extra questions than they answered. However the arc of our political historical past provides me confidence that we are able to overcome that previous. We have now walked by means of the thick of the evening to emerge into the sunshine of brighter days to return. There is no such thing as a good motive to retreat into the darkness of years previous.

We should start to restore and rebuild this nationwide dwelling of ours. There’s time to finish the duty, however time can be of the essence. We should not tarry or fret over the enormity of what we face.

We’re ready of thoughts and physique. Now, we should present the spirit and willpower to perform the historic issues that lie inside our grasp.

As your incoming president, I settle for the duty earlier than me. There was discuss of a authorities of nationwide unity. My goal is increased than that. I search a authorities of nationwide competence. In choosing my authorities, I shall not be weighed down by issues extraneous to abiilty and efficiency. The day for political gamesmanship is lengthy gone. I shall assemble competent women and men and younger individuals from throughout Nigeria to construct a safer, extra affluent and simply Nigeria. There shall be younger individuals. Ladies shall be distinguished. Whether or not your religion leads you to wish in a church or mosque is not going to decide your home in authorities. Character and competence will.

To safe our nation and to make it affluent have to be our high priorities. We can’t sacrifice these targets to political expediencies. The whims of politics should take a backseat to the imperatives of governance.

We have now bridges and roads to construct not only for commerce and journey however to attach individuals of various faiths, events and totally different outlooks in harmonious dialogue and customary objective. We have now households to feed not simply to get rid of starvation however to nurture enlightenment, civic accountability and compassion. We have now jobs to create not merely to place individuals to work however to afford all a greater way of life by which households and communities are improved and democracy deepened. We have now water to replenish not simply to quench bodily thirst however to ignite a thirst for inventive and higher options to society’s challenges. We have now a nation to guard such that we get rid of hazard and even the worry of hazard. Could all of our individuals have the ability to reside their lives within the gentle of peace and the glow of broadening prosperity.

An necessary step towards restoring financial normalcy has been taken by the Supreme Court docket’s choice on the parity of outdated and new notes . This restores each the rule of regulation and financial decency. However this isn’t the tip of the story. It’s merely the start of a extra complete answer to our financial challenges.

Our Renewed Hope Motion Plan outlines targets for better financial development in our cities and rural communities. We’re dedicated to an financial system of double-digit GDP development, better meals safety and one with a strengthened manufacturing base in addition to an energetic digital financial system the place younger individuals may have ample house to satisfy their goals and aspirations.

I understand that I’m the servant of a bigger objective. As such, I’ve gone straight to work.

My group and I’ve been each day engaged in discussions and conferences refining our concepts and coverage options in order that we are able to start actively working towards the widespread good the very first day we assume workplace.

This nice undertaking referred to as Nigeria beckons to us all.

I ask that we work collectively as Nigerians for Nigeria. Those that voted for me, I ask that you simply proceed to consider in our insurance policies and plans for the nation. I additionally ask that you simply attain out to your brothers and sisters who didn’t vote as you probably did. Lengthen to them the hand of friendship, reconciliation and togetherness. To these of you who didn’t vote for me, I ask you to consider in Nigeria and within the capability of your fellow residents, even those that voted otherwise than you. The higher Nigeria I search isn’t just for me and my supporters. It’s equally yours.

I don’t ask you to desert your political preferences. That will be undemocratic. I do beseech you to reply the decision of patriotic responsibility because the loyal opposition.

Stay loyal to the reason for a better, extra tolerant and simply Nigeria. I too shall hold religion with this goal.

If all of us play our correct roles, we will start the duty of rebuilding our nationwide dwelling collectively, daily, brick by brick however our political variations.

As such, the victory of nationwide progress will belong to all of us. The triumph of our nation’s democracy shall cite all of you as its very authors. That is how issues must be.

Pricey Nigerians, that is our nation. That is our second. We dare not waste it. Nor can we again away to just accept a lesser model of ourselves and of our collective destiny. We are able to not be happy with calling ourselves the enormous of Africa. We should commit ourselves to doing these nice and historic issues solely a large can do. As your president elect, I shall do my utmost on this regard for that is my sworn responsibility.

I name upon you to return bravely forth as nicely, not for me however out of abiding love of nation and for the individuals who inhabit it with you. We’re so a lot better than we now have been. Now could be the time to face quick and place confidence in what this nation will be.

I, for one, am standing. However this time, i shall not be the final or just one standing. Think about how nice we will be if over 200 million different souls stand with me. Let the world see a Nigeria that nothing can cease.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

President -Elect, Federal Republic of Nigeria

March 16, 2023