Death rumour: My son is hale, hearty – Wike

Flanked by his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, reiterated his commitment to the youths and promised to work to make Nigeria better.

Tinubu said, “To you the people, especially the youths, I will work day and night. I will work to the utmost of my ability to make Nigeria better.

“For this to be a victory at all, it cannot simply be a victory for one man or even one party. It must become a victory for all Nigerians who are committed to a greater society.

“To those who did not support me, I ask that you not allow the disappointment of this moment to keep you from realising the historic national progress we can make by joining hands and hearts in a common endeavour to pull this nation through.”

The President-elect called for collaboration from opposition parties and Nigerians, saying, “In a phrase, I am asking you to work with me. I may be the presidential election but I need you. More importantly, Nigeria needs you.

“My heart and my door are open to you. I ask you to come in so that we may begin the task of rebuilding our national home together, day by day, brick by brick. Where there is poverty, let us create prosperity and jobs. Where there is hunger, let us feed the people, chasing hunger from their midst. Where there is now scarcity, let us rediscover abundance.

Where there is brutality, may we replace it with brotherhood. Where violence stalks the land, may we establish peace. Where others have erected temples to hatred and bias, may we construct permanent monuments to compassion and abiding affection.”

The President-elect said though the road has been rough and tough, the battle was surmountable.
He added that Nigerian youth and women would have a voice in his administration, wishing that someday a woman would also stand like him to receive a Certificate of Return as President-elect.

Continuing, Tinubu noted that very soon this nation shall witness a young person standing before you holding this great symbol of democracy and National leadership.

“We shall see a woman standing before, holding this certificate as his or her owner. We shall experience someone from a tribe that many people have tried to dismiss as somehow beginning to disqualify. By dint of hard work, determination, and the belief in a noble endeavour you can achieve the best of things,” he added.

The President-elect said those who didn’t vote for him should not feel bad as he would not hold any grudge against anyone, adding that the task of rebuilding Nigeria rests on everyone’s shoulders.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha, former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, and a host of other dignitaries graced the occasion amid a mammoth crowd of supporters and party faithful.

•Buhari congratulates Tinubu on
election victory

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the winner of the presidential election and candidate of the APC, Tinubu.

The President also told candidates that lost the election and their supporters to take their grievances to court and not to the streets

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, 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 is 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 of you may have noticed my home state among them.

“The winning candidate did not carry his 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. There is no doubt that people’s decision has been rendered in the results we look at today.

“That is not to say the exercise was without fault. For instance, there were technical problems with the 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 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 polarization that necessarily accompanies any election, it is now time to come together and act responsibly. 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.”
•Osinbajo to Tinubu: You’ve demonstrated consistent fidelity to progressive, welfarist ideals

Earlier, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo congratulated Tinubu on his victory in the just concluded presidential elections saying that Tinubu has demonstrated a consistent fidelity to progressive and welfarist ideals, and an ability to build bridges across several divides.

A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Laolu Akande, quoted Osinbajo as saying, “I warmly congratulate the flagbearer of our great party, the All Progressives Congress, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his victory at the 2023 Presidential Elections, and his declaration as President-Elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I also congratulate His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima on his declaration as Vice President-Elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Addressing the President-Elect, the VP stated, “In your previous years of public service, you have demonstrated a consistent fidelity to progressive and welfarist ideals, and an ability to build bridges across several divides.

“These attributes are needed especially at this time, to reach out to disaffected sections of our society and to meet the aspirational expectations of our young people who have shown such a strong desire to impact our democratic process positively.

“I trust that they will not allow whatever setbacks they may have experienced to truncate their strong desire to determine the future course of our national journey.

“Through thick and thin, we must all remain focused on the objective of birthing the Nigeria of our dreams.

“I pray that Almighty God will help you to fulfil the progressive mandate of our Party, as well as your various plans to improve the security, welfare, and happiness of all Nigerians.”