President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday thanked Nigerians who re-elected him, and appealed to his supporters not to gloat or humiliate the opposition, saying “victory is enough reward for your efforts.’’
The president, who reacted to the outcome of the 2019 Presidential Election when he visited the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) Situation Room in Abuja, also thanked domestic and international observers for contributing to the success of the elections.
He particularly expressed appreciation to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for his `masterful leadership’ as Co-chair of the Campaign Council.
The president also thanked the APC Chairman, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, the Director-General of the Campaign Council, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, all members of the Presidential Campaign Council and other 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,’’ he added.
President Buhari, who also expressed sadness at the grievous loss of lives during the elections, said security agencies would step up 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,’’ he said.
The president pledged that the new administration would intensify its efforts in security, restructuring the economy and fight against corruption.
He noted that already the administration had laid down the foundation for fighting corruption, adding that the government was committed to seeing matters to the end.
President Buhari also reassured that his administration would continue to strive to strengthen the nation’s unity and inclusiveness, so that no section or group would feel left out.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday morning declared President Buhari, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the 2019 Presidential Election, held on Feb. 23.
Buhari was declared re-elected having polled 15,191,847 votes, winning in 19 states, to defeat other 72 candidates including Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 11, 255,978 votes.
Atiku won in 17 states and the FCT, to occupy the second position.
