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Tinubu stresses that “this is not the time for acrimony” and pleads for “national unity and commitment”
March 17 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The president-elect of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, has defended that he won “fair and credible” elections and has stressed that “this is not the time for acrimony and recrimination”, amid complaints from various opposition candidates about irregularities in the elections, for which reason they have filed appeals seeking their repetition.
“The honor of victory and the enormous responsibility that it implies have fallen on me,” said Tinubu, who stated that “naturally, there are people disappointed because their candidate has not won, while other candidates have shown discomfort and have said that They will go to court.”
The opposition candidates Atiku Abubakar, of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and Peter Obi, of the Labor Party, announced that they will appeal the results to the courts, arguing that there have been irregularities and have assured that they have won the polls. .
Thus, Tinubu has stressed that “this is something inherent to the democratic process” and has defended the right to resort to the justice system, while showing its commitment to “work for the benefit of the entire population, whether they have voted or not”. for his candidacy, according to the Nigerian newspaper ‘The Premium Times’.
Tinubu has also indicated that “partisan acrimony and recrimination” are “negative things that can generate strong passions but are not the path to a better nation.” “Only national unity and commitment can serve that purpose,” she has argued.
“I am not asking for political bias to be abandoned, which would be undemocratic. I am asking that the call of patriotic duty be answered as a loyal opposition. Remain loyal to the cause of a bigger, more tolerant and fairer Nigeria,” he said.
In this sense, he pointed out that “the emergence of new parties and their candidates underscores the strength of democracy” and has warned against “the new growth of old prejudices and intolerances regarding ethnicity, creed and place of origin”.
“There were times in our past when the institutions raised more questions than answers, but the arc of our political history gives me confidence that we can move past the past. We have moved beyond the thick of night into the light of the bright days to come,” he said.
For this reason, Tinubu has opted to “begin to repair and rebuild the national house” and has assured that it seeks “a government of national competence”, for which “it will not take into account considerations other than capabilities and performance”.
“I will unite competent men, women and youth from all over Nigeria to create a country that is safer, more prosperous and more just. There must be youth. Women must have a leading role. May your faith lead you to pray in a church or a mosque It will not determine your place in the Government,” he asserted.
The president-elect has also placed among his main priorities “guaranteeing the security of the nation and making it prosperous”, before indicating that “bridges and highways are built not only for trade and travel, but also to connect people of faith different, with different opinions, for a harmonious dialogue”.
“Dear Nigerians, this is our country. This is our moment. Let us not waste it. Let us no longer accept lesser versions of ourselves and our collective destiny. We cannot be satisfied with calling ourselves the giant of Africa. We must dedicate ourselves to doing those great things and historical events that only a giant can do”, he stressed.
Tinubu will replace Muhammadu Buhari, who was unable to run as he has already served the term limit set by the Nigerian Constitution. The elections also mark the first time since the return of the country to civilian rule in 1999 in which none of the candidates is a former military leader, as was the case with Buhari, who led the country between December 1983 and August. 1985 after a coup.
