The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday presented a certificate of return to the president-elect, Mr. Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his deputy, Mr. Kashim Shettima.
The certificate was presented to the duo by the chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu who was the returning officer of the poll.
Recall that Tinubu was declared as the winner of the election early Wednesday.
Yakubu, who announced the final results in Abuja, said the 70-year-old former governor of Lagos State gained 8,794,726 votes, amounting to 36% of the votes counted in Nigeria’s most tightly contested election since its return to civilian rule in 1999.
He also scored over 25 per cent of the votes cast in 30 states, more than the 24 states constitutionally required.
The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Mr. Atiku Abubakar polled 6,984,520 votes (29%); Labour Party candidate Mr. Peter Obi, polled 6,101,533 (around 25%.) to emerge third while Mr. Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP) came fourth with 1,496,687 votes.
According to Yakubu first invited Tinubu to collect and sign the certificate of return.
Thereafter, he invited the vice president-elect, Shettima, to pick up his.
Present at the event were the vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, senate president, Mr. Ahmed Lawan, speaker house of representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, secretary to the government of the federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, state governors elected on the platform of the APC, ministers and party faithful.
Meanwhile, the president-elect has called on his supporters to desist from taking violent actions.
In his post victory speech entitled, ‘The era of renewed hope’, Tinubu reminded the APC supporters as well as his opponent that with the contest over, political competition should give way to political conciliation and inclusive governance.
“I also ask my supporters to let peace reign and tensions fade. We ran a principled, peaceful and progressive campaign. The aftermath of our campaign must be as benign,” he said.
To his opponents, the Tinubu said any of them who is dissatisfied with the outcome of the election should seek redress in court.
“To my fellow candidates, former VP Atiku, former governor Kwankwaso, former governor Obi and all others, I extend the hand of friendship. This was a competitive, high-spirited campaign.
“You have my utmost respect.
“Political competition must now give way to political conciliation and inclusive governance.
“During the election, you may have been my opponent but you were never my enemy. In my heart, you are my brothers.
“Still, I know some candidates will be hard put to accept the election results. It is your right to seek legal recourse. What is neither right nor defensible is for anybody to resort to violence. Any challenge to the electoral outcome should be made in a court of law, and not in the streets.”
