…Retorted to His Aides Greetings “Your Job Is Secured”

There was measured celebration of President Bola Tinubu’s victory at the Supreme Court in the Federal Capital City of Abuja on Thursday, but there was a lull in celebration across the cities and towns of Nigeria.

A jubilant President Tinubu sat patiently in his office to watch the Court proceedings, patiently awaiting some of his aides who had gone to Court to monitor developments. As they returned to the President’s office to extend their congratulatory wishes, the President responded with “thank you” and to some of them he said “your job is secured”.

Unlike other days, and especially when the court trials were ongoing, the Supreme Court was sparsely populated. Several Lawyers’ seats were unoccupied, even some of the lead Counsels were not in attendance, as if they had a premonition of what the judgement would say.

There was a heavy presence of security personnel from all the agencies around the premises of the Supreme Court and supporters were stopped several tens and hundreds of meters away from the Court. Police Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) could be seen parked at strategic places leading to the Court. Everybody gaining access to the Court had to be thoroughly screened and scanned before gaining access into the Court premises.

A lot of drama played out outside the court premises. For some, it was a carnival with theatrical displays, dances and music. The different parties had their crowd awaiting the outcome of the judgement. It was the last bus stop as far as the presidential election 2023 was concerned. After the judgement, the song of “On your mandate, we shall stand” could be heard from the President’s supporters. That has been Tinubu’s signature tune ever since he was governor of Lagos state.

The Presidential Villa was a beehive of activities as Party chieftains, Governors and Ministers thronged the seat of power to greet and jubilate with the President. It was a day to once again to pledge loyalty to the President. Among the early callers were Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state and Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state, interestingly, both still have cases to retain their seats pending at the Supreme Court.

Even members of opposition PDP, such as recalcitrant former Rivers state governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of FCT and later seen was the Bayelsa state Governor Duoye Diri, whose re-election bid holds in a fortnight. Social media is still awash with what exactly they were doing at Aso Rock villa. But politics in Nigeria is very fluid.

There has been deaf silence from Atiku Abubakar and Mr. Peter Obi since the delivery of the judgement though their political parties have criticized the outcome.

President Tinubu, who was in high spirit, first spoke extempore praising the Supreme Court judgement and saying it will put an end to all the “Shenanigans” of the past months. There was no direct invitation to his major opponents to join him but invited all Nigerians to join him in building a new Nigeria.

In a statement personally signed by him, and placed on his X handle, the President said he solemnly and humbly accepts today’s judicial victory with an intense sense of responsibility and a burning desire to meet the great challenges confronting our people.

Below is the President’s statement:

“IT IS TIME TO BUILD OUR GREAT NATION TOGETHER

“I welcome the verdict of the Justice John I. Okoro-led Panel of the Supreme Court on the Presidential Election petitions filed by the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party, challenging the ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

“The court has done justice to all issues put up for consideration in the petitions on the merits of the law, without fear or favour.

“There is no doubt, with the profound judgment of today, that our electoral jurisprudence and constitutional democracy are further consolidated and embedded more indelibly in our national identity because of the diligence and undaunted professionalism of the Honourable Justices who presided over the matter.

“While the verdict of today has laid to rest the agitating discourse over who truly won the 2023 Presidential election and met the constitutional requirements as laid out by law, I want to reiterate that my faith in our nation’s judiciary has never been shaken, not even for a moment, because I know that our hallowed courts of law will not fail to administer justice to all Nigerians in all matters and at all times. Despite the fusillade of pressure and attempts at intimidation by some political actors, the judiciary demonstrated its unequivocal commitment to upholding the rule of law for the upliftment and defense of humanity.

“It was affirmed once more today, that my party, the governing All Progressives’ Congress, had freely and fairly won the popular mandate of Nigerians, which has since given rise to my leadership of this great nation at a tumultuous period of unprecedented reforms in our history as a nation.

“With deep gratitude to God Almighty, I solemnly and humbly accept today’s judicial victory with an intense sense of responsibility and a burning desire to meet the great challenges confronting our people.

“The victory of today has further energised and strengthened my commitment to continue to serve all Nigerians of all political persuasions, tribes, and faiths, with honour and total respect for the diverse opinions and uniting values of our citizens.

“Our Renewed Hope agenda for a greater and prosperous Nigeria has further gained momentum and I will continue to work from morning to night, every single day, to build a country that meets our collective yearnings and aspirations.

“We are all members of one household, and this moment demands that we continue to work and build our country together. The strength of our diversity and the great citizenship that binds us must now compel us forward in directing the energy of our people towards building a virile, stronger, united, and more prosperous country.

“In the days and months ahead, I trust that the spirit of patriotism will be elevated into supporting our administration to improve the living conditions of Nigerians. I am prepared to welcome the contributions of all Nigerians to foster and strengthen our collective progress.

“I send my immense gratitude to all Nigerians for the mandate to serve our country. I promise again to meet and exceed your expectations in service delivery and good governance, working with my team and trusting in the grace of God.

“May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“President and Commander-in-Chief, Federal Republic of Nigeria