The presentation of certificates of return to Buhari and Osinbajo came following the announcement of the final results of the presidential poll held last Saturday. The results, declared in the early hours of yesterday, showed that Buhari polled a total of 15,424,921 votes, while the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, President Goodluck Jonathan, scored 12,853,162 votes.
The tone of Buhari’s speech, titled: “The die is cast,” was reconciliatory,a reflection of the mood of the nation that after a vicious and divisive campaign during the presidential contest, it is time for national healing. Buhari, who pledged to fight corruption and terrorism, assured Nigerians and the world that he would be president to all; irrespective of party affiliation, creed or tribe. He said he would respect the rule of law and guarantee freedom of speech.
He eulogised Jonathan for his sportsmanship by conceding defeat and making the transition process less rancorous. Against the backdrop of the claim by the outgoing First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, that Buhari will jail top government officials under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration, the president-elect assured the incumbent that he has nothing to fear from the incoming administration. Buhari said his triumph at the poll was neither a personal victory nor victory for his political party alone, but a victory for Nigeria and all Nigerians.
According to him, the incoming administration shall ensure that no Nigerian suffered discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, region, gender or social status. He said: “Our long night has passed and the daylight of new democratic governance has broken across the land. This, therefore, is not a victory for one man or even one party. It is a victory for Nigeria and for all Nigerians.
Millions of you have worked for this day. So many have risked lives and livelihood; and others have died that we may witness this moment. “Let us put the past, especially the recent past, behind us. We must forget our old battles and past grievances—and learn to forge ahead. I assure you that our government is one that will listen to and embrace all.
“I pledge myself and the government to the rule of law, in which none shall be so above the law that they are not subject to its dictates, and none shall be so below it that they are not availed of its protection. You shall be able to go to bed knowing that you are safe and that your constitutional rights remain in safe hands.
You shall be able to voice your opinion without fear of reprisal or victimisation. “My love and concern for this nation and what I desire for it extends to all, even to those who do not like us or our politics. You are all my people and I shall treat everyone of you as my own. I shall work for those who voted for me as well as those who voted against me and even for those who did not vote at all. We all live under one name as one nation: we are all Nigerians.”
Buhari acknowledged that the elections had created rancour in the polity, but assured the people that he would take steps to heal the wounds inflicted on the psyche of the people during electioneering. He added that in spite of the animosities created during the electioneering, he haboured no ill-will against any one. “I extend a hand of friendship and conciliation to President Jonathan and his team. I hereby wish to state that I harbour no ill will against anyone.
Let me state clearly that President Jonathan has nothing to fear from me. Although we may not agree on the methods of governing the nation, he is a great Nigerian and still our president. He deserves our support and permanent respect by virtue of the office he has held. “This is how an honourable nation treats its servants and conducts its affairs; and this is how Nigeria should be. “I look forward to meeting with President Jonathan in the days to come to discuss how our teams can make the transition of administrations as efficient as possible,” he added.
Buhari said the incoming administration would tackle frontally the twin evils of insecurity and corruption and ensure that Nigeria was freed from them to give vent to economic prosperity and the social wellbeing of the citizenry. “No doubt, this nation has suffered greatly in the recent past, and its staying power has been tested to its limits by crises, chief among which is insurgency of the Boko Haram. There is no doubt that in tackling the insurgency, we have a tough and urgent job to do.
But I assure you that Boko Haram will soon know the strength of our collective will and commitment to rid this nation of terror, and bring back peace and normalcy to all the affected areas. We shall spare no effort until we defeat terrorism. “We shall strongly battle another form of evil that is even worse than terrorism— the evil of corruption. Corruption attacks and seeks to destroy our national institutions and character.
By misdirecting into selfish hands funds intended for the public purpose, corruption distorts the economy and worsens income inequality. It creates a class of unjustlyenriched people. “Such an illegal, yet powerful force soon comes to undermine democracy because its conspirators have amassed so much money that they believe they can buy government. We shall end this threat to our economic development and democratic survival.
I repeat that corruption will not be tolerated by this administration; and it shall no longer be allowed to stand as if it is a respected monument in this nation,” he said. Buhari thanked the APC for giving him the opportunity to be its presidential candidate in the election and also commended the INEC and the security agencies for their contributions towards the success of the election.
He also applauded APC leaders such as Senator Bola Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, Chief John Odigie- Oyegun and Alhaji Lai Mohammed, religious leaders, traditional leaders, the media, labour unions, Civil Society Organisations, organised private sector, youths and students for their roles in the democratic process.
Gen Buhari also expressed his appreciation to former heads of state and presidents, United States President Barack Obama and Prime Minister David Cameron for their tireless efforts in ensuring peaceful polls in Nigeria. The president- elect assured the international community of Nigeria’s support in the global fight against terrorism and in other matters such as narcotics, climate change, financial fraud, communicable diseases and other issues requiring global response.
Nigeria, he said, would henceforth stand as a more constructive partner in advancing the matters of concern to Africa, particularly with regard to economic development and eradication of poverty.