RE-ELECTION: BUHARI THANKS GOD & NIGERIANS

President Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to his re-election for a second term of four years, saying that he thanks God and Nigerians for the victory.

He made an acceptance speech at his presidential campaign headquarters in Abuja yesterday shortly after the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, declared him as the winner.

Buhari polled 15,191,847 votes to defeat his closest rival the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who scored 11,262,978.

The President also stated that his administration would continue to fight corruption, insecurity and improve on the economy.

“The new Administration will intensify its efforts in Security, Restructuring the Economy and Fighting Corruption. We have laid down the foundation and we are committed to seeing matters to the end. We will strive to strengthen our unity and inclusiveness so that no section or group will feel left behind or left out”, he told jubilant supporters.

His speech read, “First and foremost, I give thanks to Almighty God Who has spared our lives to witness another victory for Nigerian democracy and victory for our party APC.

“I thank the millions of Nigerians who voted to re-elect me as your president for the next four years. I am deeply humbled and profoundly grateful to you for judging me worthy of continuing to serve you and for your peaceful conduct.

“In particular, I would like to thank Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for his masterful leadership as Co-chair of the Campaign Council. I would like to also thank the Party Chairman Adams Oshiomhole, the Director General of the Campaign Council Rotimi Amaechi, all members of the Presidential Campaign Council and other various Support Groups.

“My grateful thanks to all those who contributed to the logistical expenses of the campaign in such a vast country like Nigeria.

“I also thank the millions of volunteers, self-appointed overseers, canvassers, agents, escorts and sentries who sacrificed so much of their time and resources to ensure the success of these elections. I do not have the words adequate to thank them.

“Although Saturday’s elections were relatively peaceful, troublemakers in a handful of states attempted to disrupt an otherwise orderly process. Security agencies will bring to justice all those arrested in the process.

“I am very sad at the grievous loss of lives during these elections. Security agencies will step up their efforts to protect voters in the forthcoming State elections.

“I would like to commend our security agencies, as severely overstretched as they are, for handling the difficult task of securing the country during the election period.

“I will like to make a special appeal to my supporters not to gloat or humiliate the opposition. Victory is enough reward for your efforts.

“We give thanks also to our Domestic and International observers for contributing to the success of our elections and for their interest in our country and our developing democracy.

“I thank you for your support and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, the re-elected main opposition has rejected the outcome of the INEC results claiming irregularities.

In a release, signed by Waziri Atiku Abubakar yesterday, he said,” If I had lost in a free and fair election, I would have called the victor within seconds of my being aware of his victory to offer not just my congratulations, but my services to help unite Nigeria by being a bridge between the North and the South.

“However, in my democratic struggles for the past three decades, I have never seen our democracy so debased as it was on Saturday, February 23, 2019. 2007 was a challenge, but President Yar’Adua was remorseful.

“In 2019, it is sad to see those who trampled on democracy thumping their noses down on the Nigerian people.

“Consequently, I hereby reject the result of the February 23, 2019 sham election and will be challenging it in court”, the statement concluded.

However, torrents of local and international congratulatory messages have been bombarding the office of the winner of the 2019 Presidential elections .

Amongst them China.

China on Wednesday congratulated Muhammadu Buhari on his re-election as President of Nigeria.

Nigeria is China’s strategic partner of cooperation in Africa Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said at a daily news conference in Beijing.

“China always attaches high importance to bilateral ties and stands ready to work with the new Nigerian government to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields and bring more benefits to the two peoples,” Lu said.