Sequel his declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the presidential election, congratulatory and goodwill have started pouring in for Senator Bola Tinubu, the president-elect, with one of the earliest coming from the incumbent, President Muhammadu Buhari.

The president, in his congratulatory message, applauded the APC candidate the winner of the presidential election, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing him as the best man for the job, and promised looking forward to work with him in the transitioning process as he will be leaving the seat on May 29th, 2023.

His statement signed by Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mallam Garba Shehu, said President Buhari lauded the growth of democracy in Nigeria, adding that despite some technical challenges in the process, the elections were free and fair.

The President urged the aggrieved politicians who are not satisfied with the process to follow the constitutional route in expressing their dissatisfaction by going to the court to seek redress instead of instigating violence in the country.

“I congratulate His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory. Elected by the people, he is the best person for the job. I shall now work with him and his team to ensure an orderly handover of power.

“The election was Africa’s largest democratic exercise. In a region that has undergone backsliding and military coups in recent years, this election demonstrates democracy’s continued relevance and capability to deliver for the people it serves.

“Within Nigeria, the results reveal democracy’s ripening in our country. Never has the electoral map shifted so drastically in one cycle. In the presidential elections, states in all regions across the nation changed colour. Some amongst you may have noticed my home state amongst them. The winning candidate did not carry his own home state either. That happens during a competitive election. Votes and those that cast them cannot be taken for granted. Each must be earned. Competition is good for our democracy. There is no doubt the people’s decision has been rendered in the results we look at today.”

“That is not to say the exercise was without fault. For instance, there were technical problems with electronic transmission of the results. Of course, there will be areas that need work to bring further transparency and credibility to the voting procedure. However, none of the issues registered represent a challenge to the freeness and fairness of the elections.

“I know some politicians and candidates may not agree with this view. That too is fine. If any candidate believes they can prove the fraud they claim is committed against them, then bring forward the evidence. If they cannot, then we must conclude that the election was indeed the people’s will – no matter how hard that may be for the losers to accept. If they feel the need to challenge, please take it to the courts, not to the streets.

“However, to do the latter means they are not doing it in the interest of the people, but rather to inflame, to put people in harm’s way and all for personal, selfish gains.

“After a degree of polarization that necessarily accompanies any election, it is now time to come together and act responsibly. I call on all candidates to remember the peace pledge they signed just days before the election. Do not undermine the credibility of INEC. Let us now move forward as one. The people have spoken.”

Similarly, Senate President Ahmed Lawan has also shared his congratulatory message with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for emerging as the winner of the presidential elections. In a statement on Wednesday, Senator Ahmed Lawan stated that the results of the general elections reflect the choice of the people.

He further indicated that the election was hard fought and the victory is satisfying to all Nigerians and it is a nudge to the All Progressives Congress to continue to work around the development of the country.

He also promised that the 10th national assembly will work cooperatively with the incoming administration for a better Nigeria.

His statement reads: “I congratulate the President-elect, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Vice President-elect, His Excellency, Kashim Shettima, on their resounding victory in Saturday’s Presidential Election.

“The Election was hard-fought on all sides so this victory is very sweet and will be savoured for a long time by our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), our supporters throughout Nigeria, and lovers of democracy across the world.

“This victory affirms the trust of the Nigerian people in our great party, the APC, and its candidates. However, it is also a challenge to us to continue the progressive development of our dear nation, Nigeria, in line with the Agenda of our party.

Nigerians have spoken unequivocally with their votes in their endorsement of that Agenda and the Renewed Hope Compact that you, our flag bearers, presented during the campaigns. Because of your Sterling track records in public service, we are confident that you will competently and faithfully deliver on that Compact.

“The outcome of the election is a seal of approval by the Nigerian people of the performance of the Government of the APC in the last eight years under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“I commend President Buhari for sustaining confidence in our Party. We are also proud of him for his statesmanship in ensuring a level playing field for all the contestants and for fully respecting the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“I also congratulate our great Party, the APC, for this election victory. I rejoice with my colleague senators-elect and Honourable members-elect of the House of Representatives over their triumph at the polls

“I wish to assure the President-elect of the full cooperation and support of the Ninth National Assembly in the transition process until the end of our tenure on 11th June, 2023.

“I am also confident that the 10th Assembly will avail the incoming administration of President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu similar cooperation and support to deliver on its mandate to the Nigerian people.

“To my dear colleagues of the incoming 10th Assembly, they should please bear in mind that all eyes are now on them because Nigerians are looking forward to what they have in store for the country.

“The tasks of nation-building that lie ahead are enormous. But with determination and patriotic zeal, these tasks will be achieved.

“May God continue to bless our beloved Nigeria and our great party, the APC.”

Also, the former Military Administrator of Lagos state and the Executive Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig Buba Marwa (Rtd) also felicitated with the president elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing his victory as well-deserved.

Marwa in his congratulatory letter described Tinbu as dogged and hardworking political sage whose credential in democracy is impressive. he advised him to implement his manifetoers and promises to improve the country.

“It was a victory well-deserved, and one built on years of focus, hard work, doggedness and the political sagacity of a democrat whose credential has been evident since the heyday of NADECO. We look forward to the implementation of your visions for a new Nigeria as outlined in your manifesto during the campaign.

“Lagos, as a microcosm of Nigeria, is a testament to your capability to transform even the most challenging of situations. Your pragmatism since the days of your governorship in Lagos will now be called to greater challenges that Nigeria portrays.

“Your agenda, as outlined in your policy document, offers hope and assured future. And as we turn our attention from electioneering, Nigerians will be counting on you to bring your magic touch to bear and bring about a great improvement in the fortune of our great country. I do not doubt that you will meet the expectations of all.”

The Former governor of Ekiti state, Ayo Fayose also congratulated the president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his emergence as the winner of the recently concluded presidential election. He also urged the other candidates to concede and accept the outcome of the elections

“I congratulate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on his election as the next President of Nigeria. As the presidential election comes to an end, I urge other contestants, especially Atiku Abubakar to accept the outcome in the overall interest of our country. There will always be another day.”

In a similar note, the All Progressives Congress also congratulated its flagbearer for emerging as a winner in the just concluded poll.

Felix Morka, the APC Publicity Secretary stated this in a statement, urging the president elect to work together other parties for the growth of the country

“We commend all political parties and their supporters for the engaging contest. We urge them to join hands with Bola Ahmed Tinubu, president-elect, to work for the utmost good and benefit of all Nigerians, irrespective of partisan political, ethnic, religious, age or gender difference,” he said.

“As stakeholders, we must put our people first and make their best interest and well-being the top and controlling priority of the incoming administration.

“We have full faith and confidence that our president-elect would spare no effort in mobilising all available human and material resources to take our country to new and lofty heights of unity, peace, economic vibrancy, security and prosperity.”