Buhari Gets Certificate of Return

The president-elect, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), IN Wednesday achieved his 12-year-old dream when he received his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), certifying that he had won the 2015 presidential election.

Buhari, who arrived the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja, at about 3 pm in the company of his wife, Aisha, and the vice-president-elect, Yemi Osinbajo, among other chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was handed his certificate by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, at 3.20 pm.
In his acceptance speech after receiving the certificate, he also extended a hand of reconciliation and fellowship to President Goodluck Jonathan, pledging that the president had nothing to fear from him.

“I pledge myself and our in-coming administration to a just and principled governance. There shall be no bias against or favouritism for any Nigerian based on ethnicity, religion, region, gender or social status.

“I pledge myself and the government to the rule of law, in which none shall be so above the law, that they are not subject to its dictates, and none shall be so below it that they are not availed of its protection,” he said.

The president-elect, who also extended his hand of friendship to Jonathan said: “Despite the rancour of the elections, I extend a hand of friendship and reconciliation to President Jonathan and his team. I hereby wish to state that I harbour no ill will against anyone.

“Let me state clearly that President Jonathan has nothing to fear from me. Although we may not agree on the methods of governing the nation, he is a great Nigerian and still our president.

“He deserves our support and permanent respect by virtue of the office he has held. This is how an honourable nation treats its servants and conducts its affairs, and this is how Nigeria should be.

“I look forward to meeting with President Jonathan in the days to come to discuss how our teams can make the transition of administrations as efficient as possible.”

He commended APC members for their support, saying: “Here, I want to thank my party for selecting me as its candidate. I thank our party leaders and members for the steadfast contributions they made to bring our dream to fruition.”

He went on to thank INEC, the police, government agencies, labour unions, civil society organisations, the organised private sector, religious leaders, the media, youths and students for their roles in the election.

Buhari also gave special thanks to US President Barack Obama for sending Secretary John Kerry and other US officials, the European Union, United Kingdom, France, Germany and other nations that were actively involved in ensuring the success of the election.

He particularly showed his appreciation to the United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Ban-Ki Moon, the Commonwealth, China, India and other Asian and Gulf states.

“Finally, our brothers in the African Union and ECOWAS have truly and clearly shown and demonstrated their commitment to our democratisation process.

“Former Presidents John Kuffour, Amos Sawyer, Bakili Muluzi and his team are well appreciated. I must also add my appreciation for the role played by civil societies, national and international observers, other world leaders in ensuring that Nigeria holds free and fair elections.

“I assure all foreign governments that Nigeria will become a more forceful and constructive player in the global fight against terrorism and in other matters of collective concern such as the fight against drugs, climate change, financial fraud, communicable diseases and other issues requiring global response.

Certificate of Returnas of Muhammadu Buhari 

“I want to assure our fellow African nations that Nigeria will now stand as a more constructive partner in advancing the matters of concern to our continent, particularly with regard to economic development and eradication of poverty,” he stated.

Not leaving past Nigerian leaders, Buhari said: “Former heads of state and presidents, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, General Yakubu Gowon, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, General Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Ernest Shonekan and General Abdulsalami Abubakar deserve commendation for their statesmanship and words of caution and counsel for peace during the tense moments of this electoral period.

“Most of all, I thank the people of Nigeria for reposing their confidence in me at this trying moment. Our nation wrestles many challenges including insecurity, corruption and economic decline. I pledge to give you my best in tackling these problems.”

Speaking on the insurgency in the country, Buhari said: “No doubt, this nation has suffered greatly in the recent past, and its staying power has been tested to its limit by crises, chief among which is insurgency of Boko Haram.

“There is no doubt that in tackling the insurgency we have a tough and urgent job to do. But I assure you that Boko Haram will soon know the strength of our collective will and commitment to rid this nation of terror, and bring back peace and normalcy to all the affected areas. We shall spare no effort until we defeat terrorism.”

On corruption, he said his government would strongly battle another form of evil that is even worse than terrorism – the evil of corruption.

“Corruption attacks and seeks to destroy our national institutions and character. By misdirecting into selfish hands funds intended for public purpose, corruption distorts the economy and worsens income inequality. It creates a class of unjustly enriched people.

“Such an illegal yet powerful force soon comes to undermine democracy because its conspirators have amassed so much money that they believe they can buy government.

“We shall end this threat to our economic development and democratic survival. I repeat that corruption will not be tolerated by this administration, and it shall no longer be allowed to stand as if it is a respected monument in this nation,” he said.

Buhari further acknowledged that the “expectations of Nigerian people today is as high as their commitment to change has been strong, and their belief in us unshaken. While we pledge to begin doing our best without delay, we would like to appeal to them to appreciate the gravity of our situation, so that we become more realistic in our expectations”.

He said: “We will govern for you and in your interests. Your vote was not wasted. This is not the first time Nigerians have cast their votes for us, and this is not the first time they have been counted, but this is the first time that the votes have been allowed to count.

“With the help of God, we pledge to do our utmost to bring forth the Nigeria you seek.”

Buhari expressed gratitude to God for his victory, saying: “I am immensely grateful to God for this day and for this hour. I feel truly honoured and humbled that the Nigerian people have so clearly chosen me to lead them.


“The official announcement from INEC was the moment the vast majority of Nigerians had hoped and been waiting for. Today, history has been made, and change has finally come. Your votes have changed our national destiny for the good of all Nigerians.

“INEC has announced that I, Muhammadu Buhari, shall be your next president. My team and I shall faithfully serve you. There shall no longer be a ruling party again; APC will be your governing party. We shall faithfully serve you. We shall never rule over the people as if they were subservient to government.
“Our long night has passed and the daylight of new democratic governance has broken across the land. This therefore is not a victory for one man or even one party. It is a victory for Nigeria and for all Nigerians.

“Millions of you have worked for this day. So many have risked life and livelihoods, and others have died that we may witness this moment.

“And it is with a very heavy heart that I report many deaths and injuries amidst the jubilations yesterday. We send our sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives, and wish speedy recovery to those who suffered injuries.

“I appeal to all our supporters to celebrate this victory with prayers and reflection instead of wild jubilation. May the souls of those who died rest in peace.”

As a mark of respect for those who died during the victory celebrations, Buhari asked for a moment of silence.

Continuing, he said as the results of the election had shown, their labour had not been and would never be in vain. “Democracy and the rule of law will be re-established in the land,” he added.

Before Buhari spoke, the INEC chairman had commended Nigerians and the commission’s staff for ensuring the success of the elections, urging them to replicate the same in the April 11 governorship and state assembly elections.
Also, in the aftermath of Buhari’s emergence as winner of the presidential poll, the United States president, United Kingdom’s Prime Minister David Cameroun, French President Francois Hollande all issued congratulatory messages on the outcome of Nigeria’s peaceful elections.

Obama commended President Jonathan for placing the interest of Nigeria first by conceding defeat and congratulating Buhari for his victory.

“I look forward to working with President Jonathan throughout the remainder of his term, and I thank him for his many years of service and his statesmanlike conduct at this critical juncture,” Obama said in a statement.

He urged Jonathan and Buhari to repeat their calls to their supporters to continue to respect the outcome of the election, to focus on unifying the country, and together lead Nigeria through a peaceful transition.

“The last few days have shown the world the strength of Nigeria’s commitment to democratic principles. By turning out in large numbers and sometimes waiting all day to cast their votes, Nigerians came together to decide the future of their country peacefully,” Obama said.

He also commended INEC and Jega, who he said deserved special recognition for overseeing an electoral process, which international observers had hailed as “largely peaceful and orderly”.


He lauded the commission for its extensive efforts to improve the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.

“Looking ahead to the gubernatorial elections on April 11, it is imperative that national attention turns to ensuring isolated logistical challenges are overcome and peace is protected, even in the most hotly contested races.

“On behalf of the American people, I extend congratulations to the people of Nigeria and to President-Elect Buhari and look forward to continuing to work with the newly-elected government on our many shared priorities,” Obama said.
In his message, Cameron described the presidential election as a truly historic moment for Nigerian democracy.

“I send my warmest congratulations to General Buhari on being elected as Nigeria's next president. This election has been a credit to the Nigerian people and a truly historic moment for Nigerian democracy.

“The UK remains a steadfast partner of Nigeria as it realises its potential as Africa’s economic powerhouse and works to tackle terrorism in the region,” he said in a statement yesterday.

UK’s Foreign Secretary Phillip Hammond also called on Buhari and Jonathan to ensure that the transition to a new government remained peaceful.

“Britain has a very deep relationship with Nigeria and we look forward to working with the new president, his government and the people of Nigeria in their aspirations for prosperity,” he said.

Meanwhile, President of France, Mr. Francois Hollande, will speak with Buhari today as part of efforts to establish the same trustful relations he has with Jonathan.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Embassy of France in Abuja yesterday with congratulatory wishes for the president-elect.

Hollande also lauded the commitment of the Nigerian people and the quality of work of INEC during the elections last weekend.

“France continues to stand with Nigeria to uphold democratic values, fight against terrorism and promote economic partnership between our two countries,” the statement read.

The European Union Commission also congratulated Buhari for his success at the poll, adding that it looked forward to working with him.

The body also expressed appreciation to Jonathan for consolidating democracy over the past five years.

The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, Ms. Federica Mogherini, in a statement issued in Brussels paid tribute to Nigerians for showing how a democracy can work.

“Nigerians can now look forward to focusing on the many challenges and opportunities that lie ahead of the country. The European Union has been a close partner for Nigeria over the past 50 years, and will continue to support its development and to share its values in promoting peace, prosperity and democracy on the continent and in the world,” she said.

“I warmly congratulate General Buhari as the successful presidential candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), and all those who have gained seats in the Senate or the House of Representatives, of all parties. I acknowledge the candidates that have conceded defeat gracefully,” she added.

SOURCE: This Day