The President-elect, Bola Tinubu, has enjoined Nigerians to bury political and other divides to work with him in building a greater country.
Speaking after he and the Vice President-elect, Sen. Kashim Shettima, received Certificates of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday, Tinubu said politics must give way for nation-building.
The former governor of Lagos State said his victory should not be seen as personal, stressing all Nigerians must undertake to be part of the task ahead for the progress of the country.
“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.
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“This great project called Nigeria beckons to us all. It is bigger and more important than any partisan divide,” Tinubu said.
The President-elect further urged his supporters and those whose candidate didn’t win the 2023 presidential election not to stop being patriotic citizens.
“I ask that you not to allow the disappointment of this moment to keep you from realising the historic national progress we can make by joining hands and hearts in common endeavor to pull this nation through.
“In a phrase, I am asking you to work with me. As your president, I need you. More important, Nigeria needs you.
“My heart and my door are open to you. 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,” he stated.
Reflecting on the race, 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 realise 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 symbolises our collective democratic attainment and even loftier aspirations. It represents the impending transfer of most sacred duty and trust from one person to another.
“At its most sublime, this certificate also symbolises 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,” the President-elect stated.
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