Go to court, Buhari tells those raising questions of legality
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
President Muhammadu Buhari has urged those against the declaration of Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the presidential election to go to court to argue their case, not to the streets to cause riot.
“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,” Buhari said in a statement he issued on Wednesday through his spokesman Garba Shehu.
Buhari said for a country that has undergone backsliding and military coups in recent years, the election demonstrates the relevance and capability of democracy 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.”
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Competition good for democracy
Competition is good for democracy, and “there is no doubt the people’s decision has been rendered in the results we look at today,” Buhari insisted, according to reporting by Daily Post.
He acknowledged hitches.
“For instance,” he stressed, “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.”
He explained, however, that none of the issues nullify the freeness and fairness of the election.
“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.”
To go contrary to this path, Buhari warned, means they are not doing it in the interest of the people, but rather to inflame, to put people in harm’s way, and all for personal, selfish gains.
“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.”