Sen. Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate who was declared President-elect of Nigeria in the 2023 presidential election, was welcomed by President Muhammadu Buhari during the course of the week, who cautioned against taking votes and those who voted them for granted.
With 8,794,726 votes, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), pronounced Tinubu the victor of the presidential election on February 25.
Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who received 6,984,520 votes, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, who received 6,101,533 votes out of the 24,965,218 total votes cast, were defeated by Tinubu.
Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), who received 1,496,687 votes, finished well behind in fourth place.
At his country residence in Daura, Katsina State, President Buhari responded to the results as announced by the INEC chairman:
“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.”
According to NAN, Kashim Shettima, the vice president-elect, and Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, the national chairman of the APC, were with Tinubu.
Nasir El-Rufai, Atiku Bagudu, Dave Umahi, Bello Matawalle, Abubakar Sani-Bello, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Nasir El-Rufai, Dapo Abiodun, Badaru Abubakar, and Simon Lalong were among the other governors who traveled to Daura.
The incoming president took the chance to express his gratitude to Buhari for his assistance throughout the campaign.
Buhari also hosted political and community leaders at his country residence in Daura as part of a visit to express his congratulations on Tinubu’s election as the nation’s next leader.
Buhari restated what he had previously said while meeting with Governor Aminu Masari and the Emir of Daura, Dr. Umar Faruk-Umar, who brought members of their ministries on separate visits:
“Bola Tinubu truly believes in Nigeria and is genuinely committed to the progress and sustainable future of Nigeria.”
In addition to thanking the electorate for their significant support of the APC in the recent elections for the National Assembly and the Presidency, he urged them to further mobilize for the future elections for governor and houses of assembly.
The president also visited Maiduguri, Borno, on Thursday, inaugurating a number of projects there as well as touring the recently damaged remains of Maiduguri Monday Market.
Regarding the newly opened Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant, Buhari hailed the achievement as another step toward ensuring an unbroken supply of electricity with the goal of enhancing Nigerians’ quality of life and economy.