The presentation of Certificate of Return to winners of a political position was designed to be the icing on the cake after an energy sapping campaign. So, it was for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on Wednesday. Although planned to be a solemn affair, politicians, their associates and aides turned the International Conference Center, venue of the ceremony at the National Collation Center into a political jamboree.

The mood in the hall was infectious. Praise singers shouted and lost their voices. Protocols were broken as party men and women disregarded the sitting arrangement, sat anyhow and everywhere and those who could not get a seat stood in front of the movers and shakers whose aides had secured seats for their principals.

At 3:42pm, the man of the moment; the president – elect , Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu was invited to come to the left side of the hall where a well decorated small table covered in a green table-cover to sign the Certificate of Return.

This would have been done after a brief remarks by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. But the electoral umpire boss, a professor of History, reading the mood in the hall, wanted the ceremony to be concluded as quickly as possible.

He muttered a few words and presented the certificate to the President-elect and the whole hall became electrified while the barrage of cameras and handset cameras were clicking away.

After that, Senator Tinubu went round to shake hands with the INEC Chairman and National Commissioners of the electoral body, beaming with smiles.

Senator Tinubu who wore a white agbada with a red cap with his insignia on it accompanied by his wife, Senator Remi Tinubu who wore a green color Ankara fabric with a dark green shaw moved briskly to the table and raised the signed Certificate for his supporters to see. The reaction was predictable – thunderous applause, singing and shouting of his praise names rend the air.

At exactly 3:37pm, the Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima was also invited to the podium to collect his own certificate of returns. He was accompanied by his wife. Shettima did not however raise up his own certificate of return.

At 3:54 pm, the former governor of Lagos state was invited to the podium to deliver a short speech.

Senator Tinubu expressed his commitment to the progress and development of the country, with a promise of renewed hope to all citizens.

“The road has been long. Yet, we walked it. The battle has been hard fought. Yet, we won it. But more importantly, I realize that I am just a servant of a larger purpose. You see, this is more than a document confirming the positive outcome of an election”.

At the ceremony attended by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and APC State governors among others, the President-elect vowed to work day and night with all his energy to make Nigeria better.

“Our destiny as a people and nation depends on our ability 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 beginning disqualified for this high office.

“By dint of hard work, determination and unyielding belief in a noble endeavor, you can achieve the best of things. There are young people listening to me right now who shall one day be the leaders of our precious and exceptional democratic republic”.

He extended the olive branch to those in opposition to join him to move Nigeria forward adding that Nigeria is bigger and more important than any partition or line of divide. According to him: “This great project called Nigeria beckons to us all. It is bigger and more important than any partisan divide.

“To my supporters, I ask you to continue to have faith in the mission that we have articulated. To those who didn’t support me, I ask that you not allow the disappointment of this moment to keep you from realizing the historic national progress we can make by joining hands and hearts in common endeavor to pull this nation through.

“In a phrase, I am asking you to work with me. I may be the president election but I need you. More importantly, Nigeria needs you. My heart and my door are open to you.

“I ask you to come in so that we may begin the task of rebuilding our national home together, day by day, brick by brick.

The President-elect, in his speech, stated that his victory is for all Nigerians who are committed to the greatness of the country. He said he would like to dedicate this day and record it as the moment that we (Nigerians) vowed to come together to make Nigeria stand and shine forth at the beloved and brave republic God intended it to be.

Below is the full text of the speech titled “To serve the People”

“As I hold this certificate, this moment is one of celebration and gladness for us.

“The road has been long. Yet, we walked it. The battle has been hard fought. Yet , we won it.

‘But more importantly, I realize that I am just a servant of a larger purpose. You see, this is more than a document confirming the positive outcome of an election.

“This important document symbolizes our collective democratic attainment and even loftier aspirations. It represents the impending transfer of a most sacred duty and trust from one person to another.

“At its most sublime, this certificate also symbolizes that each of you has the ability to achieve what others believe is impossible for you to achieve.

I stand before you the president elect. And yes, that is special. But, I am no different than anyone of you.

If I can do this. You can do better. You must do better.

Our destiny as a people and nation depends on our ability 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 beginning disqualified for this high office.

By dint of hard work, determination and unyielding belief in a noble endeavor, you can achieve the best of things.

There are young people listening to me right now who shall one day be the leaders of our precious and exceptional democratic republic.

Thus, 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.

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

“This great project called Nigeria beckons to us all. It is bigger and more important than any partisan divide.

“To my supporters, I ask you to continue to have faith in the mission that we have articulated.

“To those who didn’t support me, I ask that you not allow the disappointment of this moment to keep you from realizing the historic national progress we can make by joining hands and hearts in common endeavor to pull this nation through.

“In a phrase, I am asking you to work with me. I may be the president election but I need you. More importantly, Nigeria needs you.

“My heart and my door are open to you.

“I ask you to come in so that we may begin the task of rebuilding our national home together, day by day, brick by brick.

“Where there is poverty. Let us create prosperity and jobs.
Where there is hunger. Let us feed the people, chasing hunger from their midst.

“Where there is now scarcity, let us rediscover abundance.

“Where there is brutality, may we replace it with brotherhood.

“Where violence stalks the land, may we establish peace.

“Where others have erected temples to hatred and bias, may we construct permanent monuments to compassion and abiding affection.

“History will record this day as the moment when I officially stood before you as president elect.

“However, I would like to dedicate this day and record it as the moment that we vowed to come together to make Nigeria stand and shine forth at the beloved and brave republic God intended it to be.