Nigeria’s President- Elect,General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress,APC has extended his hand of friendship to outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan.
Speaking after receiving the Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission ,INEC in Abuja, Buhari said Jonathan has nothing to fear.He also said the president deserves permanent respect as he remains “our president”.
“Let me state clearly that President Jonathan has nothing to fear from me. Although we may not agree on the methods of governing the nation, he is a great Nigerian and still our president. He deserves our support and permanent respect by virtue of the office he has held. This is how an honourable nation treats its servants and conducts its affairs; and this is how Nigeria should be”,Buhari said.
General Buhari, who paid tribute to those who lost their lives as well as the injured throughout the electoral process , said that there shall no longer be a ruling party.Instead, there will be a governing party,Buhari said.
He hailed the efforts of former presidents and ex heads of state. “Former head of state and president Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, General Yakubu Gowon, Alh. Shehu Shagari, General Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Ernest Shonekan and General Abdulsalami Abubakar deserve commendations for their statesmanship and words of caution and counsel for peace during the tense moments of this electoral period,”Buhari said.
He also reiterated his commitment to democracy, his resolve to tackle corruption and Boko Haram insurgency among other top issues.
Buhari equally hailed global leaders like President Barack Obama and leaders of Germany France,UKand China among others.He hailed the AU and ECOWAS and reassured the world Nigeria’s renewed commitment to global duties.
Earlier, Professor Attahiru Jega handed over the Certificate of Return to Buhari and the Vice President Elect ,Professor Yemi Osinbajo.
In his remarks, Jega expressed the commission’s willingness to work for better electoral process.He commended Nigerians and the security agencies for making the presidential elections generally successful and peaceful.
