By Danlami Nmodu
#TrackNigeria -Former military President ,Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, GCFR, has revealed his thoughts after President Muhammadu Buhari emerged victorious in the 2019 Presidential elections.Specifically, IBB called on the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar to close ranks and work with the winner, President Muhammadu Buhari.
IBB said in a statement he personally signed Saturday, “I call on the former Vice –President Atiku Abubakar to close ranks and work with the winner of the election in an objective and constructive manner so that democracy will continue to thrive in our country at this crucial period of renaissance.
“I urge him also to endeavour and prevail on his admirers to eschew bitterness and violence. They must be prevailed upon to understand that politics is a game in which there must be only one winner.
While expressing his admiration for the other contestants for the office of president, IBB said he “was particularly impressed with the gallant and audacious spirit of the main challenger in the presidential race, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar GCON. I was not surprised that even though he lost the most exotic position of the land, his doggedness and pattern of support cut across ethnic, religious and regional lines that earned him the second position of the last Presidential election”
Now Buhari has proven he believes in democratic process
The former President also said with the strenuous campaigns executed by Buhari, it is now clear, the president believes in the democratic process
He said: “I wish to congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR on his re-election to lead Nigeria in the next four years. I have observed that, the electioneering campaign was very strenuous and the contest very keen. That despite the turbulent terrain of politics, the President submitted and subjected himself to this process. Indeed is a clear testimony that he believes in the democratic process and ideals.
The former president congratulated the Nigerian electorate who he said, conducted themselves peacefully during the voting process; they were enthusiastic to exercise their democratic rights of electing candidates of their choice.
He noted that “Sadly, due to violence in some part of the country, lives were
lost and I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to their families for
the death of their loved ones.”
Advice to the president
IBB said “the newly elected president should heal the wounds of the heated campaign exchanges by embracing those who contested alongside with him. The President must resist the temptation to see them as enemies; not even opponents, but fellow compatriots who merely disagreed with him on how best to move our country forward.”
Boko Haram remains a threat to many Nigerians
He added “Now that the President has won his re-election bid, he should confront with renewed vigour the most urgent problem confronting Nigeria: ‘insecurity of lives and property’. The Boko Haram insurgency remains a threat to many Nigerians particularly in the North East sub region, while the twin evils of kidnapping and armed robbery/armed banditry remain a major national menace. The president must pay priority attention to these security issues.
Advice on Economy
According to the former president, “The economy of the country must also occupy the president’s urgent attention. There is the need to be more creative in formulating policies that will improve the nation’s economy, create employment opportunities and give hope to our teaming youths.”
Heed yearnings for restructuring
IBB also called on President Buhari to “ heed to the yearnings of reasonable Nigerians for restructuring and seek all constitutional means to devolve some powers presently exercised by the Federal Government to the other tiers of government.”
