Presidential poll: My re-election credible, Buhari insists

…Says it’s a victory for Nigeria
…INEC presents Certificate of Return to President-elect, Vice
Despite the protest and intention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to approach the court to seek redress over outcome of the February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections, President Muhammadu Buhari has insisted that the poll which earned him re-election was free, fair and credible.

Buhari said that he came to that conclusion from comments credited to several observers both local and foreign.

The President-elect said this on Wednesday when he and his vice were presented with the Certificate of Return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the International Conference Centre, Abuja

He, however, commended all the presidential candidates for putting up a good contest, acknowledging that a hard fought campaign trailed the elections from all the stakeholders.

“From the comments of several observers both local and foreign, it is obvious that the elections were both free and fair,” Buhari stated.

He described the recent election as a milestone in Nigeria’s democratic trajectory, saying it took place in a peaceful manner.

“I am grateful to God for sparing our lives to witness another milestone in Nigeria’s democratic development – namely conclusion of the Presidential election in an overwhelmingly peaceful manner.

“I wish, Mr. Chairman, to congratulate all the Presidential candidates and their teams on a hard-fought campaign. We may have had different views during the campaign, but the one thing most of us have in common is love of our country and our desire to improve conditions for Nigerians,” he stated.

The President said now that the elections are over, and a winner declared, we must all see it as a victory for Nigeria, our dear country, hence his warning to his teeming supporters not to gloat or humiliate the opposition over their loss.

He said: “Our God-given victory is enough cause for joy, without deriding those who were in the opposition. All Nigerians, going forward, must stand in brotherhood, for a bright and fulfilling future.

“I therefore want to assure that we will continue to engage all parties that have the best interest of Nigerians at heart. Our Government will remain inclusive and our doors will remain open.

That is the way to build the country of our dream; safe, secure, prosperous, and free of impunity and primitive accumulation by those entrusted with public offices.

“The hard work to deliver a better Nigeria continues, building on the foundations of peace, rule of law and opportunities for all. We will roll up our sleeves afresh, and give it our all.

We have no other motive than to serve Nigeria with our hearts and might, and build a nation which we and generations to come can be proud of.

“I am very grateful to the over 15 million citizens who voted for me, those who contributed in many ways in the running of our successful campaign, and those at home and abroad who expressed confidence in me and the APC Government. I thank you all.

“I can assure that you will see a country moving to the Next Level, as we consolidate on our fundamental areas of securing the country, reviving the economy, and fighting corruption. Many other focal areas, as stated in our campaign manual, will be added, to the good things we plan for our country”.

The President also regretted the fate that befell some of the active participants in the electoral process, insisting that the do-or-die approach to elections was not in the best interest of the country.

“Let me pay tribute here to those who lost their lives either through accidents or mindless violence during the course of these elections. My heart and thoughts are with the families of the victims. May God comfort and give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

“Election is not war, and should never be seen as a do-or-die affair. I pray that we all accept this democratic approach to elections, however contentious,” he noted.

Meanwhile, President Buhari also commiserated with the families of the victims of the latest bandits’ attacks in Sokoto and the inter-communal conflict in Kaduna State, warning that “mass murder of innocent people by criminals would be met with full force.”

Earlier, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu while presenting the certificate of return to the President and his Vice, Yemi Osinbajo, explained that it was in compliance with the Electoral Act, which stipulates that the document be presented to the winner within 7days.

Buhari retained his seat for another four years with 15,191,947 million votes cast in his favour defeating his closest rival, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party who polled 11,262,978 million votes.

While Buhari successfully won 19 states, Atiku garnered 17 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Atiku came second in the keen presidential contest with 3,928,871 million votes.

With the development, Buhari is expected to continue in office for another four year term that would elapse in 2023.

Reacting to the wave of killings in Sokoto and Kaduna States, President Buhari said that, “The death of one innocent Nigerian is no less important than the death of a hundred”, adding that, “It is a matter of time before these murderous gangs of criminals meet their Waterloo.”

According to the President, “The criminals cannot be lucky always because the law will ultimately catch up with them and deliver justice ruthlessly.”

“Let no group of outlaws doubt the will and resolve of my administration to confront criminals who have no iota of regard for the sanctity of life,” he stated emphatically.

President Buhari also reassured Nigerians that their security remained a top priority of his government.

The President said that, “Our security personnel are being trained, retrained, motivated and provided with essential equipment in order to improve their capacity to respond to our security challenges.”

President Buhari also prayed that God Almighty would grant rest to the souls of the unfortunate victims of the killings in Sokoto and Kaduna states.

Meanwhile, more African leaders have sent congratulatory messages to President Muhammadu Buhari on his re-election.

King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco described President Buhari’s victory as an affirmation of the level of confidence Nigerians have in their President and promised to work with him to advance the interests of both countries.

‘‘Your re-election is a testimony to the level of confidence that you enjoy among the people of Nigeria, attributable to your wisdom, experience in politics, sense of engagement and devotion to the service and the protection of the interests of the country especially as they relate to the prosperity, wellbeing and security of your people,” King Mohammed VI said in his congratulatory message.

The monarch expressed satisfaction with the existing cordial and fraternal African relationship linking the two leaders, their people, and nations.

He reiterated his determination to work in concert with President Buhari to reinforce the mutually beneficial relationship between Morocco and Nigeria and to give it a new impetus to serve as a model on the African continent.

President Alpha Conde of Guinea also extended his congratulations, describing the re-election of President Buhari as a dose of hope for the West African region.

Professor Conde expressed confidence that the cordial relations between Nigeria and Guinea will continue to get better.

Earlier, President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger, who was the first leader to call President Buhari minutes after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him the winner of the 2019 presidential elections, said he looked forward to working with the Nigerian leader to further strengthen Nigeria-Niger relations.

President Buhari has also received congratulatory messages from Presidents Nana Koffi-Addo of Ghana and Macky Sall of Senegal.