By Shola Oshunkeye
President-Elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu has promised to serve Nigeria and Nigerians with every fibre of his being to make the country a compelling destination for people across the world.
This was one of the highlights of the acceptance speech which he delivered, Wednesday morning, at the Campaign Headquarters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Abuja, before a crowd of jubilant supporters.
He extended the olive branch to his fellow contestants in the just concluded election, thanking them “for placing your trust in the idea of unity, for working hard to strengthen democracy.” He appealed to them to join him in building and making Nigeria great again.
“Whether you are BATified, or ATIKUlated or OBIdient or Kwankwasia,” Tinubu said, “I appeal to you to team up with me to build a united country for the happiness and harmony of all.”
And stating that “a new hope at dawn has landed in Nigeria,” he pleaded with his co-contestants to join him to realise that promise (of a great Nigeria).”
He also spoke to the ear-tearing calls for INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to step down, declaring that the man had “done well, no matter what anybody says.” He admitted that “Yes, there may be mistakes” but they were not substantial enough to stall the process. “The process was credible,” he declared.
Thanking Nigerians for electing him as the 16th President of he Federal Republic of Nigeria, Tinubu said that rather than grumble, Nigerians should be proud of themselves and their country for holding a successful election in the “biggest democracy in Africa.”
The President-Elect thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for being committed to democracy, and by implication to the country’s wellness. “I thank President Muhammadu Buhari because he is a patriot. He is loyal and firm,” he said.
But in another breath, he jabbed the President a little while thanking APC Governors for staying the course and not betraying it when things became extremely difficult as a result of the cashless policy.
Still referencing the new monetary policy and the attendant cash squeeze, he said the situation made the campaign so austere that they were owing party agents. “There is no way I will let you down,” the President-Elect told the Progressive Governors.
Tinubu acknowledged the enormous contribution of the Vice President-Elect, Senator Kashim Shettima, a former Governor of Borno State, who he described as “my immovable pillar of support.”
Tinubu, who laced his acceptance speech with humour, provoking laughter and applause from the crowd, then turned his attention to the youth declaring:
“I hear you loud and clear. No matter what, we are going to chat the course together. I will pay undivided attention to your education. There will be credit available for you. There will be education loan. No handouts because there will be authors. You will spend four years for a four-year course.”
Turning to Nigerians in general again, he said they will be richly rewarded for reposing their trust in him by electing him as their President.
Then, he paused momentarily before declaring: ” This is a serious mandate. I hereby accept to serve you, be your servant and not a leader, to work with you to make Nigeria a great country.”