31st March, 2015
Eromosele Ebhomele
Nigeria’s former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Tuesday evening sent his congratulatory message to the country’s President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, saying the latter’s victory at the polls is the best chapter of the nation’s history.
Abubakar, who contested with Buhari for the ticket of the party in December 2014 under the All Progressives Congress, APC, said it was great to know that Buhari had led the party o victory just about two years after its formation.
“The great Nnamdi Azikiwe once wrote that ‘history will continue to vindicate the just’. Your victory in the polls, with votes from across the length and breadth of our country, bears witness to the acceptance of not just our party, the APC, but also your ideology of justice, fair play and zero tolerance for corruption as the bedrock for national rebirth,” Atiku Abubakar said.
The former Vice President also thanked every Nigerian who voted for the APC in the election.
“Your votes have not just elected the first opposition party into federal power, but has also set a precedent which will have positive implications for democracy across Africa.
“Dear GMB, the journey has just begun. Millions of Nigerians have put their trust in you, because they were not satisfied with the status quo. You represent the hope of a new generation of Nigerians, and you cannot afford to fail them.
“Our party has made a promise of change to our young people, to secure and rebuild our country, create jobs and opportunity, and improve citizens’ welfare. We will stand behind you to ensure we keep those promises, just like we did during these elections.
“Our country needs a new direction. We have voted for you, and our party won the election, but when you assume our highest office, you must become the president of not just the APC, but all of Nigeria, including the people who did not vote for you. We look up to you to heal the fractures of our country, and truly unite this country like never before.
“To President Jonathan, I want to specially thank you for conducting a historic election. Your party may have lost the elections, but you have won the admiration of the world by not interfering with the wishes of Nigerians. History will be kind to you.
“It is my sincere hope that we will all come together as one country, to build the Nigeria of our dreams,” the statement said.