Politics

I’ll Ensure Orderly Handover Of Power To Tinubu – Buhari

Published

3 years ago

March 1, 2023

Editor

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in Daura, Katsina State, felicitated with the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, for emerging the winner of the February 25 Presidential Elections.

Buhari said he will now work closely with Mr Tinubu’s team to ensure an “orderly handover of power.”

In a statement signed early Wednesday by the President’s Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari who admitted faults in the electoral process, especially in the electronic transmission of results, said it does not dent the freeness and fairness of the elections.

Therefore, he urged aggrieved parties to take their complaints “to the courts, not to the streets.”

The statement is titled ‘President Buhari congratulates the winner of the presidential election, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’.

The PUNCH reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission, early Wednesday, declared Mr Tinubu as the winner of the presidential elections; 72 hours after the collation of results began.

Tinubu who polled 8,794,726 winning in 12 states, lead the Peoples Democratic Party’s Atiku Abubakar, who scored 6,984,520 votes, Labour Party’s Peter Obi who polled 6,101,533, and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, who garnered 1,496,687 votes.

Reacting to the results Buhari said “I congratulate His Excellency Bola 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.”

The President said Saturday’s election results reveal a ripening democracy in Nigeria.

According to him, “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 of 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.”

However, Buhari admitted faults in the electoral process.

Citing INEC’s failure to transmit the results electronically, Buhari argued that the gaffe does not mar the freeness and fairness of the elections.

The PUNCH reports that long before the national collation exercise was concluded in Abuja, the PDP and LP, on Monday, rejected the results, alleging irregularities.

Both parties called for the cancellation of the election and also asked the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to step down over claims that the election was rigged in the APC’s favour.

However, Buhari disagrees.

He said, “That is not to say the exercise was without fault. For instance, there were technical problems with the 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 represents a challenge to the freeness and fairness of the elections.

“I know some politicians and candidates may not agree with this view. That too is fine. If any candidate believes they can prove the fraud they claim is committed against them, then bring forward the evidence.

“If they cannot, then we must conclude that the election was indeed the people’s will – no matter how hard that may be for the losers to accept. If they feel the need to challenge, please take it to the courts, not to the streets.”

He said taking to the streets is not in the interest of the people, but will inflame Nigerian and put them in harm’s way “all for personal, selfish gains.”

Buhari urged the candidates to remember their agreement at the peace accord signed days to the election.

“It is now time to come together and act responsibly. I call on all candidates to remember the peace pledge they signed just days before the election.

“Do not undermine the credibility of INEC. Let us now move forward as one. The people have spoken,” he said.

Meanwhile, in Daura, the President played host to guests who thronged his private residence to celebrate the APC’s victory.

A statement signed by the President’s spokesman, Shehu, revealed that Katsina state Governor, Aminu Masari and the Emir of Daura, Dr Umar Umar, led members of their cabinets on separate visits.

He thanked the electorate for their massive support for the APC in the Presidential and the National Assembly elections, asking them to further mobilise for the upcoming governorship and Houses of Assembly elections.
PUNCH

Related Topics:##NigeriaElections2023 Buhari Presidential election

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Politics

Peter Obi Meets US Consul General, Hopes For Credible Polls In 2027

Published

9 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

Chieftain of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi on Tuesday held a meeting with United States Consul General, Mr Rick Swart.

Obi made this known via his X handle.

He said “This morning, in Lagos, I met with the U.S. Consul General, Mr Rick Swart, where we discussed strengthening the bilateral relationship. We focused on promoting credible elections in Nigeria, ensuring they are free from interference, and fostering a space where all political parties, especially opposition parties can thrive, and contribute.

“We also discussed trade and business opportunities between our countries. Accompanying me to the meeting was Dr Adefolaseye Adebomi Adebayo.

“The discussion was very productive, and we are hopeful that, moving forward, Nigeria’s elections will be even more credible and transparent.”

Politics

BREAKING: 17 ADC Reps Follow Join NDC

Published

15 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

About 17 African Democratic Congress, ADC, lawmakers in the House of Representatives have defected to the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC.

This was disclosed by Speaker Abass Tajudeen on the floor of the House on Tuesday.

Tajudeen also announced the defection of Leke Abejide from the ADC to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Lawmakers who defected to the NDC include Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande and Munachim Umezuruike.

Others are Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene and Abdulhakeem Ado.

This comes barely a day after former presidential candidates Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso defected from the ADC to the NDC.

Obi and Kwankwaso have pledged to continue their pursuit for a better Nigeria in the NDC.

Politics

JUST IN: Why I left ADC For NDC With Kwankwaso – Peter Obi Opens Up

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

A former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has given reasons why he resigned from the African Democratic Congress, ADC, to join the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, alongside a former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

In a long post on X on Monday, Obi insisted it was not out of anger or ambition.

Rather, he said the move is a continuation of the quest to build a new Nigeria.

Obi wrote: “Yesterday, I formally joined the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), alongside my dear brother, Engr. Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, with one clear purpose: to continue the struggle for a new Nigeria built on justice, competence, accountability, and compassion for the ordinary Nigerian.

“As I stated yesterday, this decision was not made out of anger, personal ambition, or convenience. It came after deep reflection on the present condition of our nation and the urgent need to rescue Nigeria from the dangerous path it is currently heading.

“Over the years, I have remained steadfast in my conviction that politics should never be about individuals, positions, or personal gain. It must be about the people, especially the millions of Nigerians who today can no longer afford necessities, whose businesses are collapsing, whose children are losing hope, and whose future is becoming increasingly uncertain.

“I left the ADC for the same reason I left the Labour Party: the severe, orchestrated litigation and internal crises deliberately designed to ensure that I, alongside many other notable individuals, do not effectively participate in the electoral process. I sincerely appreciate and remain deeply grateful to the Leadership of ADC for the opportunity to work together in pursuit of a better Nigeria. I am particularly grateful to ADC Chairman Senator David Mark for his exceptional Leadership. I also deeply appreciate my Leader and elder brother YE, Atiku Abubakar, as well as other respected leaders within the party.

“As we join the NDC, I sincerely appeal to the Nigerian Government against the encouragement of unresolved litigations and the infusion of crises within political parties. Democracy must never become a weapon against the people. A healthy democracy thrives on strong institutions, credible alternatives, and the freedom of citizens to make choices without intimidation, manipulation, or fear. Opposition parties must not be weakened or destroyed, because when democracy loses balance, the people ultimately suffer.

“Nigeria today is passing through one of the most difficult periods in its history. Poverty is rising. Hunger is widespread. Insecurity continues to threaten lives and livelihoods. Businesses are shutting down daily. Our young people are becoming discouraged, and many citizens have lost faith in the system. At a time like this, leadership must be driven not by propaganda or division, but by competence, capacity, character, and compassion.

“Our decision to join the NDC is therefore not an abandonment of values, but a continuation of the same mission we have always stood for: building a Nigeria where leadership is about service, where public resources are managed responsibly, where institutions function independently, and where every Nigerian, regardless of tribe, religion, region, or social status, can live with dignity, security, and hope.

“I remain committed to working with all Nigerians of goodwill across political, ethnic, and religious lines. The task before us is bigger than any individual or political party. It is about the future of our children and the survival of our dear nation.

“I thank Nigerians, especially our youths and women, for remaining peaceful, resilient, and hopeful despite the enormous challenges confronting the country. I urge you not to lose faith in Nigeria. Nations do not change because people surrender to hopelessness; they change because people continue to believe, continue to sacrifice, and continue to stand for what is right.”