Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria’s president-elect, reassured Nigerians and world leaders that he would deliver on his promises.
Tinubu, a former governor of Nigeria’s economic capital, Lagos State, won the February 25 presidential election, defeating 17 other candidates.
He gave a speech last night at the inauguration Dinner/Gala Night organised by the Presidential Transition Council (PTC) which was held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
The President-elect said: “To the many Heads of State present here, our brothers and sisters celebrating with us, I thank you.
“What lessons has Nigeria’s democracy taught the rest of Africa if not the whole world? Resilience, determination, courage, and love in diversity, though our tongues and tribes differ.
“By tomorrow (today’s) afternoon, my predecessor is heading to Daura, on the border with Niger, but I have told him not to worry, he will still get a knock on his door.
“No matter how short a man is, he will see the sky. I will still be able to find him when I need his help.
“Here is a country that has stumbled many times, but has never faltered. We can be squeaky like old mama’s car, but we will never break apart. We are just a unique country.
“We must fight corruption, poverty, inconsistencies in policies and many other problems confronting us.
“But don’t pity me. I asked for the job. I campaigned for it. No excuses. I will live up to the billing to deliver. I promise you.”
Buhari thanked the dignitaries, saying the electoral process has given power back to the Nigerians.
“I congratulate fellow Nigerians who have realised that their votes count.
“I’m looking forward to flying to my base and going back to my cows and sheep, which are much easier to control than fellow Nigerians.”
Senator Remi Tinubu, wife of the president-elect and first lady designate, assured Nigerians that the incoming administration would ensure equitable distribution of the commonwealth.
The ex-Lagos State First Lady, who stood in for the President-elect an interdenominational service in Abuja, promised that her husband would make a difference.
“God has blessed my family. We don’t need the wealth of Nigeria to survive but to do the right thing. And I promise you on this altar, that with your help, with the help of God, who will set this nation on the right path.
“God has been merciful to us. I can tell you on my own that we never believed this could happen. But thank God for giving us hope, for giving us the resilience to continue in the race of life.
“Asiwaju is 71 and I will be 63. I bet I will be one of the oldest First Ladies Nigeria would have. We need the grace of God and we need everyone to do what Nigerians are expecting.
“Today, God has proved himself as he did on the night of the primaries and put his seal on it. Because, when I saw the votes count to be 1,271, I said God it means you are here.
“I was humbled to my rock bottom. And to believe that this is the seventh consecutive democratic transition Nigeria will be experiencing shows that this is a time of perfection for Nigeria; perfection in the sense that, in the word of God, I remember for over two years we have been praying in our churches, according to Isaiah 43:18-19, that we should not remember the former things, that God is going to do a new thing.
“A new thing came and we still kept arguing with God. Who can argue with his maker? No one.”
She stressed the need for unity to enable the incoming administration to deliver on the promises.
She also appealed to Nigerians to pray for the new government to create the much-desired impact.
“We need your prayers. We need the prayers of the church. We need the prayers of the mosque.
“We need everybody to pray to that one God who we just read in Ephesians that he is one God of all. He is a God of all flesh. He is sovereign and He sits in heaven and He does as He pleases.”
Former vice president, Yemi Osinbajo, urged the people, regardless of party affiliation, to continue to pray and work for peace and prosperity.
He also prayed for the incoming administration to grow in stature, wisdom and favour.
“I pray for the President-elect Senator Bola Tinubu and the Vice President-elect Senator Kashim Shetima and the new government that as their days in office so shall they grow in stature, in wisdom and favour with the almighty God.
“I pray for our nation, I pray that the Lord will prosper this land, that our land and its people will live in peace and security.”
