Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu says he is profoundly humbled to be elected the 16th President of Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy.
In an acceptance speech shortly after he was returned by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the wee hours of Wednesday, Tinubu said even if he knelt down or prostrated, people would still not get how grateful he is.
“I am profoundly humbled to be elected to serve as the 16th president of our beloved country. It is an affirmation of our democratic existence. I say thank you.
“How humble could I be if I do cultural ‘idobale,’ kneel, bending, nobody will understand me. I wish all of you well. Whether Batified, Atikulated, Obidient, or Kwankwasiyya, you voted and struggled for Nigeria. I thank you for placing your trust in Nigeria’s democracy,” he said.
He added that; “To Almighty Allah, Alhamudullai to all of you, it’s not a night to address party leaders, but can’t give an acceptance speech and just leave. I will start by saying thank you to our national party leader Senator Abdullahi.
“It’s a big letter of achievement, not a small letter in history. I thank the entire members of the working committee.
“I hereby accept to serve you, be your servant and not a leader, and make Nigeria a great country,” he said.
The election winner also appealed to fellow contestants to work with him.
“I appeal to my fellow contestants to let us see things together. We must build together, work together to bring broken pieces together, and work for the unity and happiness of the country.
“Let’s collaborate to create the symphony that will make the music of prosperity a piece of music for our country. We have what it takes, creativity, knowledge, and determination. I promise I will work with you to make Nigeria the destination of those returning home to contribute to the development of the country.
“To the youths, we are going to embark on the journey together. I will pay undivided attention to your education, be creative, make credit available, education loans will be available, no more strikes, and universities will have autonomy, to be creative.”
He applauded party members for working to ensure compliance with the requirements of the electoral commission.
“The ship did not sink or waver, we anchored well. I can’t go line by line to list your positions. Many of the leaders are awake to get the results of the collation.
“To the workers in the situation room, your situation will improve. The party will reward them but they should be patient. I have two people–Aminu and Babatunde Oghara–who let out the gorilla on the other side of the aisle.
“It’s a night of friendship.
“We have made a promise to the country. The night we were beaten in Lagos, I said it was a temporary setback.
“I thank my wife for standing by me tremendously–a very prayerful woman.
“A Renewed hope has dawned and landed in Nigeria. I represent that support. With your support, the promise will be fulfilled. We will do it together. I commend INEC for running a credible election.
“The lapses reported were few and too few to affect the result of the election. With each cycle of the election, we perfect the process. Nigeria shines as the giant of Africa.
“I thank everybody that supported my campaign, especially President Muhammadu Buhari, I thank my wife and the entire family of the President, I thank my running mate and the VP elect.”