President Buhari congratulates Tinubu on 2023 electoral victory
The President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on winning the 2023 Presidential Election.
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, Buhari said that Tinubu’s victory showed that he has been chosen by Nigerians. According to President Buhari, the electoral process had been unusual. He noted neither himself or the President-elect won their home states, an indication that Nigeria’s democracy is fast growing.
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“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 happens 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.
“That is not to say the exercise was without fault. For instance, there were technical problems with electronic transmission of the results. Of course, there will be areas that need work to bring further transparency and credibility to the voting procedure. However, none of the issues registered represent a challenge to the freeness and fairness of the elections.
The President however, called on all candidates who participated in the election process to keep to the peace agreement signed days ahead of the elections and refrain from any action capable of undermining the democratic process.