Nigeria’s teeming boisterous youths got an assurance of full attention from President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday.
Tinubu spoke on how his in-coming administration will address issues concerning young Nigerians at two events in Abuja.
“Now, to you, the young people of this country, I hear you loud and clear,” he said in his acceptance speech, following his declaration as winner of the election.
He said his victory was for all, and that those who did not vote for him are as important as those who did.
Also speaking after receiving his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, 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. I understand your pains, your yearnings for good governance, a functional economy and a safe nation that protects you and your future.
“I am aware that for many of you, Nigeria has become a place of abiding challenges limiting your ability to see a bright future for yourselves.
“Remodeling our precious national home requires the harmonious efforts of all of us, especially the youth. “Working together, we shall move this nation as never before.”
INEC Chairman Prof Mahmood Yakubu presented the certificate of return to Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima, at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.
Security had their hands full controlling the crowd of supporters who besieged the venue to witness the presentation.
At about 3.10 pm when it became apparent that they may not gain access to the hall, they forced the door leading into the African Hall venue open and entered.
It was an electrifying moment when the president-elect and his wife Oluremi walked into the hall, accompanied by Shettima and his wife Nana.
The chant of ‘On your mandate we shall stand’ rent the air, as the crowd surged forward to either catch a glimpse of Tinubu or touch him.
Those who witnessed the presentation include Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege; House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila; Governors Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Babatunde Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi) and Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano).
Also present were Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu; Deputy Speaker Ahmed Idris Wase; and former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba; National Security Adviser Babagana Monguno; former APC National Chairman/senator-elect Adams Oshiomhole; British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Wendy Campbell Laing, other members of the diplomatic corps and APC stalwarts also witnessed the event.
After collecting his certificate of return, Tinubu walked to Osinbajo and gave him a warm embrace.
For the president-election, his victory is for everyone, no matter the political leaning.
He said: “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.”
Tinubu urged his opponents and rival supporters to join him “to pull the nation through”.
“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.
“History will record this day as the moment when I officially stood before you as president-elect.”
Tinubu urged youths to keep the hope of someday leading the country alive.
“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 endeavour, you can achieve the best of things.
“Young people are listening to me right now who shall one day be the leaders of our precious and exceptional democratic republic,” he said.
Earlier in his acceptance speech at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council headquarters in Abuja, Tinubu vowed to provide quality leadership.
Humbled by his election, he said he would serve to the best of his ability.
Addressing a large crowd of elated party supporters, Tinubu said: “I am profoundly humbled that you have elected me to serve as the 16th president of our beloved republic.
“This is a shining moment in the life of any man and an affirmation of our democratic existence. From my heart, I say thank you.”
He added: “Whether you are Batified, Atikulated, Obidient, Kwankwasiyya, or have any other political affiliation, you voted for a better, more hopeful nation and I thank you for your participation and dedication to our democracy.
“You decided to place your trust in the democratic vision of a Nigeria founded on shared prosperity and one nurtured by the ideals of unity, justice, peace and tolerance. Renewed hope has dawned in Nigeria.”
Promising to do his best, he said: “In return, I will give you my utmost as your next president and Commander-in-Chief.
“Peace, unity and prosperity shall be the cornerstones of the society we intend to build.
“When you gaze upon what we shall accomplish in the coming years, you shall speak with pride at being a Nigerian.”
Tinubu preached post-election peace, urging those who may be dissatisfied to seek legal redress.
The former Lagos State Governor said: “I know some candidates will be hard put to accept the election results. It is your right to seek legal recourse.
“What is neither right nor defensible is for anybody to resort to violence.
“Any challenge to the electoral outcome should be made in a court of law, and not in the streets.
“I also ask my supporters to let peace reign and tensions fade. We ran a principled, peaceful and progressive campaign. The aftermath of our campaign must be as benign.
“Yes, there are divisions amongst us that should not exist. Many people are uncertain, angry and hurt; I reach out to every one of you.
“Let the better aspects of our humanity step forward at this fateful moment. Let us begin to heal and bring calm to our nation.”
The President-elect was flanked by his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, his running mate and Vice President-elect Shettima and other dignitaries.
He acknowledged that the election was not without issues.
“We commend INEC for running a free and fair election.
“The lapses that did occur were relatively few and were immaterial to the outcome.
“With each cycle of elections, we steadily perfect this process so vital to our democratic life,” he said.
Tinubu added: “To my fellow candidates, former VP Atiku, former governor Kwankwaso, former governor Obi and all others, I extend the hand of friendship.
“This was a competitive, high-spirited campaign. You have my utmost respect.”
He also acknowledged the support from President Muhammadu Buhari who led his campaign council as chairman, stressing that “he has shown that he is a truly patriotic person.”
APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu and National Secretary Otunba Iyiola Omisore led members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to the ceremony.
Also in attendance were Gbajabiamila, Chairman of Progressive Governors’ Forum and Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu; and governors Ganduje, Bello Matawalle (Zamfara), Sanwo-Olu, Mohammed Badaru (Jigawa), Abiodun, Babagana Zulum (Borno) and Simon Lalong (Plateau).
Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo (SAN), former governors Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff (Borno) and Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara) were also present, amongst other party stalwarts.
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