By News Desk
President-elect Bola Tinubu has declared that the presidential election was “fair and credible” and that he will not be constrained by political considerations in forming his government.
Tinubu, in a statement on Thursday, said he will go beyond forming a national unity government, but will form “a government of national competence.”
“There has been talk of a government of national unity. My goal is higher than that. I seek a government of national competition. In selecting my government, I will not be overwhelmed by considerations other than capacity and performance,” he said.
The former Lagos state governor won 8.7 million votes to defeat 17 other candidates in the February 25 presidential election. However, several opposition parties have opposed the election result and some have started the legal process to challenge the result.
The candidate of the Labor PartyPeter Obi and Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party have started the process to challenge the result.
Given how divisive the 2023 electoral process has been, pundits have encouraged the president-elect to form a national unity government in a bid to unite the country.
Tinubu, in his statement, reiterated that the election was “fair and credible”, noting that other candidates have the right to challenge the result in court.
Barring judicial intervention, Tinubu is expected to be sworn in on May 29.
FULL STATEMENTFair and credible elections have been held and won. The honor of that victory and the enormous responsibility that it entails have fallen on me. I am not saying this to gloat or boast because there is no place for such behavior. I am simply stating the facts as they are.
I realize that many good and well meaning Nigerians voted for other candidates. Naturally, they’re disappointed that their favored candidate didn’t win. Other candidates have expressed their discontent, stating that they will go to court to challenge the elections. This is inherent in the democratic process. We defend your right to seek legal remedies. While exercising the legal rights afforded to you in our democracy, I have set my course and mind on the leadership of this nation. We have important work to do and I am committed to doing that work for the benefit of all people, whether they voted for me or not, or even voted for me.
This is not the time for continued acrimony and partisan recrimination. These negative things can incite strong passions; but they are not the path to a better nation. Only national unity and commitment can serve that purpose.
Critics of Nigeria have been quick to conclude that our political system is fragmented due to the impressive performance of new parties and their candidates. These critics are wrong. The rise of new parties and their candidates underscores the dynamic strength of our democracy. People want democracy to work and they want their voices to be heard and their interests served within it. This is a good thing to be promoted, not something to be feared.
What should concern us is not the growth of parties, but the resurgence of old prejudices and intolerances such as ethnicity, creed, and place of origin. As a nation and as individuals imbued with love for God and neighbor, we are better than this. At some point we must decide whether to be seduced by the evils of the past or to cheer more boldly and nobly at the looming prospect of a brighter future.
There have been times in our past when our governing institutions created more questions than they answered. But the arc of our political history gives me confidence that we can move beyond that past. We have walked through the night to emerge in the light of brighter days to come. There is no good reason to retreat into the darkness of years gone by.
We must begin to repair and rebuild this national home of ours. There is time to complete the task, but time is also of the essence. We must not delay or worry about the enormity of what we face.
We are capable of mind and body. Now, we must show the spirit and willpower to achieve the historic things within our reach.
As your incoming president, I accept the task before me. There has been talk of a government of national unity. My goal is higher than that. I seek a government of national competition. In selecting my government, I will not be overwhelmed by considerations other than capacity and performance. The day of political games is gone. I will bring together competent men, women and youth from across Nigeria to build a safer, more prosperous and just Nigeria. There will be young people. Women will be prominent. If your faith leads you to pray in a church or a mosque, it will not determine your place in the government. Will of character and competence.
Protecting our nation and making it prosperous must be our top priorities. We cannot sacrifice these objectives to political expediency. The whims of politics must take a back seat to the imperatives of governability.
We have bridges and roads to build not only for trade and travel, but also to connect people of different religions, parties, and different viewpoints in harmonious dialogue and common purpose. We have families to feed not only to eliminate hunger, but also to foster enlightenment, civic responsibility, and compassion. We have jobs to create, not just to put people to work, but to enable everyone a better standard of living whereby families and communities are improved and democracy is deepened. We have water to replenish not only to quench physical thirst, but also to ignite a thirst for creative and better solutions to societal challenges. We have a nation to protect in such a way that we eliminate danger and even the fear of danger. May all our people live their lives in the light of peace and the glow of ever-increasing prosperity.
An important step towards the restoration of economic normality has been taken by the decision of the Supreme Court on the parity of old and new bills. This restores both the rule of law and economic decency. But this is not the end of the story. It is just the beginning of a more comprehensive solution to our economic challenges.
Our Renewed Hope Action Plan outlines goals for increased economic growth in our cities and rural communities. We are committed to an economy with double-digit GDP growth, greater food security and a strengthened manufacturing base, as well as an active digital economy where young people will have ample space to fulfill their dreams and aspirations.
I realize that I am the servant of a greater purpose. As such, I have gone straight to work.
My team and I have been engaged in daily discussions and meetings to refine our ideas and policy solutions so that we can begin to actively work for the greater good from the first day we take office.
This great project called Nigeria appeals to all of us.
I ask that we work together as Nigerians for Nigeria. To those who voted for me, I ask that you continue to believe in our policies and plans for the country. I also ask that you reach out to your brothers and sisters who did not vote like you did. Extend to them the hand of friendship, reconciliation and union. To those of you who did not vote for me, I ask you to believe in Nigeria and the ability of your fellow citizens, even those who voted differently from you. The best Nigeria I seek is not just for me and my fans. it is equally yours.
I am not asking you to abandon your political preferences. That would be undemocratic. I beg you to answer the call of patriotic duty as the loyal opposition.
It remains loyal to the cause of a bigger, more tolerant and just Nigeria. I too will keep faith in this goal.
If we all play our proper roles, we will begin the task of rebuilding our national home together, day by day, brick by brick, despite our political differences.
Therefore, the victory of national progress will belong to all. The triumph of our nation’s democracy will cite all of you as its own authors. This is how things should be.
Dear Nigerians, this is our country. This is our moment. We dare not waste it. Nor do we back down to accept a lesser version of ourselves and our collective destiny. We can no longer settle for calling ourselves the giant of Africa. We must dedicate ourselves to doing those great and historic things that only a giant can do. As your president-elect, I will do everything possible in this regard because it is my sworn duty.
I invite you to come boldly, too, not because of me, but out of an abiding love for the country and the people who inhabit it with you. We are much better than we have been. Now is the time to stand your ground and have faith in what this nation can be.
For my part, I am standing. But this time, I won’t be the last or the only one standing. Imagine how great we can be if more than 200 million other souls are with me. Let the world see a Nigeria that nothing can stop.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President -Elect, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
