President Muhammadu Buhari has advised the president-elect, Bola Tinubu not to take the votes he garnered as well as the electorate for granted.
Buhari gave the advice when Tinubu visited him in Daura over the week.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu had on Wednesday morning declared Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 presidential election with 8,794,726 votes.
Tinubu defeated his closest rival Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 6,984,520 votes, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, who secured 6,101,533 votes of the 24,965,218 total votes cast.
Also, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso- of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) came distance fourth with 1,496,687 votes.
“I congratulate His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory. Elected by the people, he is the best person for the job. I shall now work with him and his team to ensure an orderly handover of power.
“The election was Africa’s largest democratic exercise. In a region that has undergone backsliding and military coups in recent years, this election demonstrates democracy’s continued relevance and capability to deliver for the people it serves.
“Within Nigeria, the results reveal democracy’s ripening in our country. Never has the electoral map shifted so drastically in one cycle.
“In the presidential elections, states in all regions across the nation changed colour.
”Some amongst you may have noticed my home state amongst them. The winning candidate did not carry his own home state either. That happene during a competitive election.
”Votes and those that cast them cannot be taken for granted. Each must be earned. Competition is good for our democracy.
”There is no doubt the people’s decision has been rendered in the results we look at today,” Buhari said.
Tinubu was accompanied by Vice-President-elect, Kashim Shettima and the National Chairman of APC, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu.
Others on the trip to Daura were: Governors of Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufai; Kebbi, Atiku Bagudu; Ebonyi, Dave Umahi; Zamfara, Bello Matawalle; Niger, Abubakar Sani-Bello; Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ogun, Dapo Abiodun, Jigawa, Badaru Abubakar and Plateau, Simon Lalong.
Tinubu thanked Buhari for his support during the electioneering process.
Buhari also received political and community leaders at his country home, Daura, on a congratulatory visit over the emergence of Tinubu as the country’s next President.
While receiving Gov. Aminu Masari and the Emir of Daura, Dr. Umar Faruk-Umar, who led members of their cabinets on separate visits, Buhari reiterated what he had often said about the President-elect:
“Bola Tinubu truly believes in Nigeria and is genuinely committed to the progress and sustainable future of Nigeria.”
He thanked the electorate for their massive support for the APC in the Presidential and the National Assembly elections, asking them to further mobilize for the upcoming Gubernatorial and Houses of Assembly elections.
