Tinubu urges gov-elects to embrace opponents
Bola Tinubu, the incoming president, advised newly elected governors and lawmakers on Tuesday to embrace both their supporters and detractors to create a unified Nigeria.
Tinubu congratulated the winners of the State Houses of Assembly and Governorship elections held on Saturday and stressed the need for both winners and losers to start the mending process.
The election is crucial to the development and maintenance of democracy and democratic administration at the state level, according to the former governor of Lagos State.
In a statement on Tuesday, Tinubu made the case that strengthening democratic governance at the local level will lead to increased growth and a higher standard of living for the general public.
The President-elect asked the recently elected politicians to start the mending process and embrace their opponents in the elections to make sure the populace gets the rewards of democracy and good administration.
“Indeed, the elections are over. The people have voted to elect their governors and state legislators that will serve them for the next four years. The time for leadership and governance is now upon us.
“In a democracy, the majority would have their way but that majority must not suppress the minority from having their say. As democrats, we have to safeguard free expression. Winners must be magnanimous and those who did not win should have a large heart for tolerance and respect for the greater interest of the nation.
“As the elected, the only way to justify the trust and confidence of the people and the mandate entrusted in us is to commit ourselves to the service of the people. We must all work diligently and sincerely to make life better for the masses. As elected officers, we have no other assignment than to be burden-bearers for the masses and ensure they have a better life than we promised during the campaigns.
“We must take urgent steps to unite the people; those who voted for us and those who did not. We must champion the healing process by embracing the opponents and their supporters. As I have stated previously, the time for politicking is gone. This is time for nation-building, a task beyond one individual or a section of society. We need every hand from wherever it may come to be on deck.
“I am ready to work with you all as your President. I will be a worthy partner you can trust and rely on as we all bond together, in the unity of purpose and renewed hope for, the betterment of our blessed country and beloved people.
The former Lagos governor also condemned what he described as physical and verbal assaults committed during the polls, saying the incidents are unacceptable and antithetical to democratic ethos.
He said, “Elections should be a celebration of our maturing democracy and freedom of choice and ought not to be moments of grief. I am particularly pained by cases of ethnic slurs, which are capable of creating needless mis characterisation reported in some locations.
“My appeal is for us to rise above our differences, which, in reality, are fewer than the valued strings that bind us together as a people irrespective of the circumstances of our births.
“As former governor of Lagos State, I can attest to the strength in our diversity and togetherness. As your President-elect, it is that spirit of inclusiveness we engendered in Lagos that I intend to bring into national governance so that together we can attain our full potentials.”
