My victory, God given ― Buhari

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has said that his victory was God-given, just as he described the process as free, fair and transparent.

Speaking shortly after receiving his Certificate of Return from the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the president-elect who was officially declared winner of the presidential election on Wednesday morning said he would run an inclusive administration and cautioned his supporters not to taunt any member of the opposition parties.

He scored 15,191,847 to defeat his main rival and Peoples Democratic Party presidential (PDP) candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who scored a total vote of 11,262,978.

He described weekend process where he emerged as another opportunity to fulfill his pledge to continue to serve Nigerians, conscientiously.

He said:”I am grateful to God for sparing our lives to witness another milestone in Nigeria democratic development, namely conclusion of the presidential election in an overwhelming and peaceful manner.

“I wish to sincerely congratulate all the presidential candidates and their teams on a solid campaign. We may have held different views but one thing most of us have in common is the love of our country and our desire to improve the conditions of the lives of Nigerians. From the local to the international observers, it is obvious that the elections were both free and fair.

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“Now that the elections are over and a winner declared, we must all see it as a victory for Nigeria, our dear country. This is why I thank my teeming supporters in a speech I read early today not to gloat. “Our God given victory is enough cause for joy, without rubbishing the opposition. All Nigerians going forward must live in brotherhood for a bright and fulfilling future. I, therefore, want to assure that we will engage all parties in the best interest of Nigeria.

Our government will remain inclusive and our doors will remain open. This is the way to build a country of our dream. We must serve Nigeria with our hearts and strength.”

He equally paid condolence to the victims of violence that trailed the exercise last weekend.”

Earlier while presenting the Certificate of Return individually to President Buhari and his deputy, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the INEC chairman noted that the exercise was “a statutory obligation of the law to offer certificate of return within 7 days.”