PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said he would treat Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his counterpart in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, as compatriots because they represent important constituencies in the country.
Tinubu stated this in his inaugural speech on Monday, May 29, saying his victory does not render him more Nigerian than anyone.
“The outcome of the 2023 presidential election reflected the will of the people. However, my victory does not render me any more Nigerian than my opponents nor does it render them any less patriotic,” Tinubu said.
“They shall forever be my fellow compatriots and I will treat them as such. They represent important constituencies and concerns that wisdom dare not ignore.
“They have taken their concerns to court. Seeking legal redress is their right and I fully defend their exercise of this right. This is the essence of the rule of law.”
Contrary to various elections observers’ reports and depositions in ongoing court cases against his election, Tinubu adjudged the 2023 general elections as the country’s best in history.
“In this vein, may I offer a few comments regarding the election that brought us to this juncture. It was a hard fought contest. And it was also fairly won.
“Since the advent of the Fourth Republic, Nigeria has not held an election of better quality,” he added
INEC had declared Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 presidential election.
According to INEC, Tinubu secured 8,794,726 votes, Abubakar had 6,984,520, while Obi polled 6,101,533.
The PDP and LP candidates rejected the result and approached the tribunal with separate petitions to challenge Tinubu’s victory.
They alleged that Tinubu was not qualified to contest the election and that he failed to secure the majority of lawful votes cast at the poll.
They are also contesting that Tinubu’s running mate, Kashim Shettima, had a double nomination contrary to the Electoral Act.
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