…Receives certificate of return from INEC as President-elect
From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has admitted that he is very much aware that many Nigerians did not vote for him, but he however ready to work with everybody.
He spoke after collecting his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the International Conference Centre (ICC) venue of the National Collation Centre for presidential election.
“I know many did not vote for me. And you are disappointed that your candidate is not where I now stand,” he joked, adding; “I understand your hurt. To you, I extend the embrace and comfort of one family member to another.”
“This great project called Nigeria beckons to us all. It is bigger and more important than any partisan divide. To my supporters, I ask you to continue to have faith in the mission that we have articulated.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, for last Saturday’s presidential election, had received the certificate of return from INEC’s chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, by exactly 3..45pm to the admiration and cheers from the party chieftains, stakeholders and supporters.
Similarly, his vice and former governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, equally received his from the same electoral umpire boss by exactly 3.50pm.
Present at the ceremony include serving and current governors on the platform of the party, the party’s national chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, members of the National Working Committee (NWC), vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, and many party stakeholders.
Speaking after receiving the certificate, the former Lagos State Governor said: “As I hold this certificate, this moment is one of celebration and gladness for us. The road has been long. Yet, we walked it. The battle has been hard fought, yet, we won it. But more importantly, I realize 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 symbolizes our collective democratic attainment and even loftier aspirations. It represents the impending transfer of a 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. I stand before you the president elect. And yes, that is special. But, I am no different than anyone of you. If I can do this. You can do better. You must do better,” he said.
“Our destiny as a people and nation depends on our ability to shed the artificial restrictions of bias and prejudice so that we live fully unto our democratic creed that no one is innately superior or entitled to greater rights and opportunities than any other Nigeria.
“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 somehow beginning disqualified 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. Thus, by taking this certificate, I assume a sacred duty I shall never ignore.
“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,” he said.