The President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked Nigerians to bury political and other divides to work with him in building a greater country.
He spoke as indications emerged from a Twitter post by the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, that he plans to react to a Tinubu victory his camp says he was deprived of.
It is not clear if the address will happen on Wednesday, as he was still in a meeting at about 7.00 p.m.
His vice presidential, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has already confirmed they are going to the courts to challenge the victory the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) handed Tinubu.
Baba-Ahmed has called already for peace and patience from supporters telling journalists on Wednesday that “LP won the just concluded election but was rigged”.
“It is our position that the purported result did not meet the minimum criteria of a transparent, free and fair election. In addition to the most condemnable attacks, voter intimidation and suppression, the election was conducted in clear violation of agreed and promised INEC rules and guidelines…
“The Electoral Act 2002 as amended and indeed the Nigerian constitution, as evident, the institutions of the state and leaders that were supposed to ensure the sanctity of the election again and as in the past collaborated and colluded to subvert the will of the good people of Nigeria.
“Be assured of our determination to fight the injustice that has been perpetrated on Nigerians through all legal and peaceful means. While painful, we implore you all to please remain peaceful and calm as our fight and determination for a new Nigeria is just beginning.
“We equally encourage you all to continue with the campaigns and vote massively for the Labour Party in the forthcoming governorship and the state house of assembly elections on 11th March 2023.
“Our principal, his excellency Mr Peter Obi will in due course speak to you and indeed the nation.
“He is better than one could ever imagine. He is cheerful, he is hearty, he is healthy, he is strong and what is more. He and I are even believing more and more in Nigeria and the Nigerian people.
“Here we are. Our movement is less than eight months old and we won elections in the federal republic of Nigeria where they’ve had an eight-year concurrent government. As far as we are concerned, we won this.
“They refused to upload results, they refused to refer to IREF just for them to defeat us. It took serving government illegality and constitutional breach to defeat Peter Obi and my humble self.
“I tell you we are winners, Nigerian people are winners and the Nigerian nation is waiting for a day that Peter Obi and myself will through the rigours of illegality and unconstitutionality get to power somehow one day.”
But speaking after he and the Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima, received certificates of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Tinubu said politics must give way for nation-building.
Tinubu said his victory should not be seen as personal, emphasising that for progress to be made all Nigerians must undertake to be part of the task ahead.
“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.
“I know many did not vote for me. And you are disappointed that your candidate is not where I now stand.
“I understand your hurt. To you, I extend the embrace and comfort of one family member to another.
“This great project called Nigeria beckons to us all. It is bigger and more important than any partisan divide.”
The President-Elect urged his supporters and counseled those Nigerians whose candidate missed the opportunity of winning this time not to stop being patriotic citizens.
“I ask that you not to allow the disappointment of this moment to keep you from realizing the historic national progress we can make by joining hands and hearts in common endeavor to pull this nation through,” he said.
Reflecting on the race, Asiwaju Tinubu said: “The road has been long. Yet, we walked it. The battle has been hard fought. Yet, we won it.
“But more importantly, I realize that I am just a servant of a larger purpose. You see, this is more than a document confirming the positive outcome of an election.
“This important document symbolizes our collective democratic attainment and even loftier aspirations. It represents the impending transfer of a most sacred duty and trust from one person to another.
“At its most sublime, this certificate also symbolizes that each of you has the ability to achieve what others believe is impossible for you to achieve.”
While paying tribute to the Nigerian youths, Tinubu charged them to keep hope alive and work hard for personal and national growth.
“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 you, holding this certificate as its owner. We shall experience someone from a tribe that many people have tried to dismiss as unqualified for this high office.
“By dint of hard work, determination and unyielding belief in a noble endeavor, you can achieve the best of things.
“There are young people listening to me right now who shall one day be the leaders of our precious and exceptional democratic republic.”