Tinubu extends Olive branch to Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso

President-elect, Asíwájú Bola Tinubu, yesterday extended the olive branch to his co-contestants in the February 25 presidential elections.

He also promised to hit the ground running as soon as he assumes office, saying he would work day and night to the best of his ability to make the country better.

The key contestants include candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi; and New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, Senator Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Speaking after he received his Certificate of Return in Abuja yesterday, Tinubu said: “By taking this certificate, I assume a sacred duty I shall never ignore.

“To you the people, especially the youths, I will work day and night. I will work to the utmost of my ability to make Nigeria better.”

Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, received their Certificates of Return from the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who was the Chief Returning Officer for last Saturday’s Presidential election.

In his speech titled, “To serve the people”, the President-Elect, who extended the olive branch to his challengers at the poll, noted that the road had been long “yet, we walked it. The battle has been hard fought. Yet, we won it.”

According to him, the destiny of the nation depends on the ability of Nigerians to shed the artificial restrictions of bias and prejudice “so that we live fully unto our democratic creed that no one is innately superior or entitled to greater rights and opportunities than any other Nigeria.”

"Very soon, this nation shall witness a young person standing before you holding this great symbol of democracy and national leadership. We shall see a woman standing before you, holding this certificate as its owner. We shall experience someone from a tribe that many people have tried to dismiss as somehow being disqualified for this high office.”

‘My victory is for all’

Turning to those who did not support his aspiration, Tinubu said: “For this to be a victory at all, it cannot simply be a victory for one man or even one party. It must become a victory for all Nigerians who are committed to a greater society.

"I know many did not vote for me. And you are disappointed that your candidate is not where I now stand.

“I understand you are hurt. To you, I extend the embrace and comfort of one family member to another.

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