The President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), yesterday, laid down a contract with Nigerians underpinned by a commitment to restore the dignity of all Nigerians irrespective of partisan considerations.
Buhari, who spoke in Abuja while receiving his Certificate of Return from the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, pledged, as part of the contract, to frontally tackle societal malaises that had hindered the country’s growth, among which he listed corruption, terrorism and degradation of values.
Earlier in the wee hours of the day, Buhari had, while formally accepting his declaration as president-elect commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his sportsman-like disposition during the contest.
He spoke to hundreds of party supporters, who camped throughout the night in front of the party secretariat in anticipation of the declaration.
Buhari went along with his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who also received his certificate of return as vice-president elect.
Ours’ll be a governing, not ruling party
Speaking after he was given the certificate of return as president-elect, he said Nigerian people will no longer be treated by their leaders as subservient, adding that under his administration, there will no longer be ruling party because the APC will only be the governing party.
Corruption’ll not be tolerated
On corruption, the president-elect said: “We shall 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 the 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.”
Jonathan has nothing to fear
Buhari, however, extended a hand of fellowship to President Goodluck Jonathan, saying despite their differences during the campaign period he bears no grudges against him.
He said: “Despite the rancour of the elections, I extend a hand of friendship and conciliation 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’ll work for those who voted for and against me
He also reassured all and sundry that his government will not be biased against anybody on the basis of religion, tribe or ethnicity, promising that he will be a president for everybody including those who do not support his aspiration.
General Buhari said: “I pledge myself and our in-coming administration to 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.
“You shall be able to go to bed knowing that you are safe and that your constitutional rights remain in safe hands. You shall be able to voice your opinion without fear of reprisal or victimisation.
“My love and concern for this nation and what I desire for it extend to all, even to those who do not like us or our politics. You are all my people and I shall treat everyone of you as my own.
“I shall work for those who voted for me as well as those who voted against me and even for those who did not vote at all. We all live under one name as one nation: we are all Nigerians.”
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