The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented the Certificate of Return to the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at a well-attended ceremony in Abuja

The President-elect arrived the Africa Hall of the International conference centre at exactly 3.27 pm.

Security men at the main entrance into the International Conference Centre had a challenge controlling the crowd of supporters who besieged the place to witness the presentation.

At around 3.10 pm when it became obvious that they may not gain access, they forced the door leading into the African Hall venue of the presentation.

Many of them refused to use the seats provided at the gallery, insisting on entering the main hall to be part of the programme.

Those who witnessed the presentation were Senate President Ahmad Lawan; Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege; Ondo Governor Rotimi Akeredolu; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and members of the National Assembly

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress(APC) Senator Abdullahi Adamu; Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila; Deputy Speaker Ahmed Wase and former Chairman of the (EFCC) Nuhu Ribadu

After collecting his certificate of return, Asiwaju Tinubu went for a worm embrace with Vice President Prof Yemi Osibanjo while Vice President-elect Senator Kashim Shettima was also presented with his certificate of return by the INEC Chairman.

The President-elect, entered into a social contract with Nigerians to provide a leadership that will lead the country to greater heights.

He said his presidency will provide the much-needed impetus that will make the country achieve its dreams.

In his acceptance speech titled: “the Era of Renewed Hope” hours after he was declared winner of the February 25 Presidential election by the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Mahmood, the APC flag bearer said he was humbled by his election and accepted to serve the country to the best of his ability.

Addressing a large crowd of elated party supporters in the early hours of Wednesday at the party’s Presidential Campaign Council headquarters in Abuja, Tinubu said: “I am profoundly humbled that you have elected me to serve as the 16th President of our beloved republic. This is a shining moment in the life of any man and an affirmation of our democratic existence. From my heart, I say thank you.

“Whether you are Batified, Atikulated, Obidient, Kwankwasiyya, or have any other political affiliation, you voted for a better, more hopeful nation and I thank you for your participation and dedication to our democracy.

“You decided to place your trust in the democratic vision of a Nigeria founded on shared prosperity and one nurtured by the ideals of unity, justice, peace and tolerance. Renewed hope has dawned in Nigeria.”

Tinubu, who spoke off text for a while further said: ” I have just been declared the elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I hereby accept to serve. I accept the serious mandate given to me. I will work to make Nigeria great.

“I thank the Nigerian people for their abiding belief in our democracy. I shall be a fair leader to all Nigerians. I will be in tune with your aspirations, charge up your energies and harness your talents to deliver a nation that we can be proud of.

“Today, you have given me the greatest honour you can bestow on one man.

“In return, I will give you my utmost as your next president and commander-in-chief. Peace, unity and prosperity shall be the cornerstones of the society we intend to build. When you gaze upon what we shall accomplish in the coming years, you shall speak with pride at being a Nigerian.”

The President-elect who was flanked by his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, his running mate and Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima pay glowing tribute to the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting a free and fair election.

According to him: “We commend INEC for running a free and fair election. The lapses that did occur were relatively few and were immaterial to the outcome. With each cycle of elections, we steadily perfect this process so vital to our democratic life.”

He affirmed that “Today, Nigeria stands tall as the giant of Africa. It shines even brighter as the continent’s biggest democracy.”

Tinubu also acknowledged the support received from President Muhammadu Buhari who led his campaign council as chairman, stressing that “he has shown that he is a truly patriotic person.”

He also singled out the Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima for his commitment and dedication.

“To the Progressive Governors of our party and this nation, to the party leadership, to our loyal party members. I owe you a debt of gratitude. To the entire campaign organization, I thank you sincerely.

“I thank my loving wife and dear family whose support was ceaseless and inspiring. Without you, this victory would not be possible.

“I am grateful to Almighty God. By His mercy, I was born a son of Nigeria and through His sublime purpose I find myself the victor of this election.” He then prayed to God to grant him the wisdom and courage to lead the nation to the greatness He alone has destined for it.

“I thank the Nigerian people for their abiding belief in our democracy. I shall be a fair leader to all Nigerians. I will be in tune with your aspirations, charge up your energies and harness your talents to deliver a nation that we can be proud of.

He later extend hands friendship to other presidential candidates, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Governor Peter Obi and others, whom he said he held with the utmost respect, for a competitive and high-spirited campaign.

Advising his opponent, Tinubu said: “Political competition must now give way to political conciliation and inclusive governance.

“During the election, you may have been my opponent but you were never my enemy. In my heart, you are my brothers.

“Still, I know some candidates will be hard put to accept the election results. It is your right to seek legal recourse. What is neither right nor defensible is for anybody to resort to violence. Any challenge to the electoral outcome should be made in a court of law, and not in the streets.”

He also asked his supporters to let peace reign and tensions fade. “We ran a principled, peaceful and progressive campaign. The aftermath of our campaign must be as benign.

“Yes, there are divisions amongst us that should not exist. Many people are uncertain, angry and hurt; I reach out to every one of you. Let the better aspects of our humanity step forward at this fateful moment. Let us begin to heal and bring calm to our nation.”

Assuring the youth of a greater future under his leadership, the President-elect promised to provide a conducive environment for our youth to maximise theirs.

He said, “to you, the young people of this country, I hear you loud and clear. I understand your pains, and your yearnings for good governance, a functional economy and a safe nation that protects you and your future.

“I am aware that for many of you, Nigeria has become a place of abiding challenges limiting your ability to see a bright future for yourselves.

“Remodeling our precious national home requires the harmonious efforts of all of us, especially the youth. Working together, we shall move this nation as never before.

“My running mate, Vice President-elect Shettima, and I understand the challenges ahead. More importantly, we also understand and deeply value the talent and innate goodness of you, the Nigerian people. We pledge to listen and to do the difficult things, the big deeds, that put us on the path of irreversible progress. Hold us firmly to account, but please give us a chance first.”

APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu and National Secretary, Otunba Iyiola Omisore led members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to the ceremony.

Also in attendance were the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chairman of Progressive Governors’ Forum and Kebbi State governor, Atiku Bagudu led other governors, Umar Ganduje – Kano, Bello Matawalle – Zamfara, Babajide Sanwo-Olu – Lagos, Mohammed Badaru – Jigawa, Dapo Abiodun – Ogun, Baba Gana Zulum – Borno and Simon Bako Lalong – Plateau and the director general of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.

Others are Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo (SAN), former governors of Osun, Borno and Zamfara, Gboyega Oyetola, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and Abdulaziz Yari.

Also in attendance were Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, Sen. Tesilimi Folarin, APC Oyo State governorship candidate Gen. Yusuf Tukur Buratai, Gen. Abdulraham Danbazzau, Mr Jack Rich, Babatunde Ogala (SAN), Prince Ade Omole, Dele Alake, Sen. Sani Mohammed Musa and other party chieftains.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the victory of its presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima as well deserved accomplishment.

The party also said the renewal of the mandate of the APC-led administration was an indication that the party remains the preferred choice of Nigerians.

This was contained in the party’s congratulatory statement to the President-elect and his Vice President-elect by the National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka in Abuja on Wednesday.

Dedicating the victory to the Nigerian people, the ruling party admitted that the overwhelming support by the people resulted in a renewed mandate for the Party.

The statement reads: “The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the victory of President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Vice President-Elect, Senator Kashim Shettima as well-deserved victory at the just-concluded presidential polls.

“This election was vigorously contested like no other in the history of our democracy, and it witnessed the determined participation of millions of our fellow compatriots. Our country and democracy are richer and stronger together in this strident onward march into a more vibrant future of opportunities, wholesome and transformative development.”

The party also commended the provided by President Muhammadu Buhari, insisting that his accomplishments in office provided a formidable springboard for the President-Elect to run a victorious race.

Morka noted that the party remained thankful to the President for his intrepid and steady leadership of the Party. According to the spokesman, “Your unparalleled program of electoral and democratic reform provided a conducive predicate for the successful conduct of this year’s presidential election. Your legacy will endure through time.

“We commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the creditable discharge of its statutory duty to deliver a free and credible presidential election.

“We applaud the armed forces and security agencies for their vigilance, and for keeping the perform ace and maintaining law and order during this important exercise. We are equally thankful to local and international observer missions for their roles in monitoring this process to its conclusion.

“We dedicate this victory to all Nigerians for their courage, boundless energy, resilience and abiding love of country.”

The party then acknowledged the contributions of all other presidential candidates maintaining that their efforts at contesting further strengthen and consolidate democratic values in the country.

“We commend all political parties and their supporters for the engaging contest. We urge them to join hands with the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to work for the utmost good and benefit of all Nigerians, irrespective of partisan political, ethnic, religious, age or gender difference. As stakeholders, we must put our people first and make interests and well-being the top and controlling priority of the incoming administration.

“We have full faith and confidence that our President-elect would spare no effort in mobilising all available human and material resources to take our country to new and lofty heights of unity, peace, economic vibrancy, security and prosperity.

“On behalf of the National Chairman of our great Party, His Excellency, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, members of the National Working Committee, and our teeming and loyal Party men and women, again, we thank all Nigerians on this epic accomplishment.

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has described the election of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as a vote of confidence in his vision and ability to implement major programmes that would uplift the country.

Reacting to the announcement of Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 poll, ACF said the results by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) validated the nationwide acceptance of Tinubu as a detribalised leader.

Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Kano State Chapter, Dr Faruk Umar, congratulated Tinubu on his election.

He said: “Your election has demonstrated to the whole world that religion and tribe will no longer play a role in Nigerian politics as your success cut across the regions and religions in the country”.

He commended the INEC for its steadfastness and transparency in conducting an election well-acclaimed by local and international observers as free and fair.

Umar also praised President Muhammadu Buhari for providing leadership at a critical time and for believing in the sanctity of a free and fair electoral process.

He called on all parties and other stakeholders to demonstrate sportsmanship and put the interest of the country above their personal interests.

According to him, the task before Nigeria now requires all hands on the deck, to bring back hope and prosperity to all Nigerians.

Umar said ACF as a non-partisan group would continue to support programmes aimed at empowering the generality of the citizenry and developing the country.

The chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, has congratulated the President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his well deserved victory at the presidential elections.

He acknowledged the wide support for Asiwaju across board despite the keen nature of the contest.

He expressed appreciation to all the leaders, members and sympathizers of APC for their diligence, perseverance, commitment, vigilance, and sacrifice in the days preceding the election, during and thereafter.

He appreciated all Nigerians who despite the excruciating challenges of recent times performed their responsibilities to further entrench our democracy.

The electoral body – INEC – the security agencies and other stakeholders will go down in history as midwives to a free, fair, transparent and historic election in Nigeria.

The role of the opposition parties who made a keen contest of the election by providing options for the electorates was significant of tremendous growth in our nascent democracy.

He said the President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will fulfill his part of the social contract with all Nigerians by delivering in totality on his manifesto of RENEWED HOPE to usher in an era of peace, security, prosperity, nationwide growth and our restoration to a place of pride in the comity of nations.

Nigerians have chosen a prepared president whose selling point remains his antecedent, pedigree and unwavering commitment to progressive governance.