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- Tinubu- Nigeria needs competence, not a government of national unity.
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Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the incoming president, dashed the hopes of supporters of a government of national unity on Thursday by emphasizing competence over such a political structure.
He claimed that, rather than seeking a government of national competence, his goal was greater than a government of national unity and that he would not appoint cabinet members on the basis of their religion.
"Nigeria: At the Cusp of Renewed Hope" was the subject of Tinubu's signed statement on Thursday, his first since the Independent National Electoral Commission declared him the winner of the March 1 election.
With 8, 794, 726 votes, the All Progressives Congress's presidential Candidate defeated Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the People's Democratic Party, Peter Obi of the Labour Party, and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party.
Both Abubakar and Obi, who finished second and third in the election, are contesting the results in court and refusing Tinubu's offer of an arm of friendship. However, some Nigerians considered forming a government of national unity to quell the protests over the election results.
In a speech, the incoming president spoke to Nigerians about the matter and said, “As your incoming president, I accept the task before me. There have been talks of a government of national unity. My aim is higher than that. I seek a government of national competence. In selecting my government, I shall not be weighed down by considerations extraneous to ability and performance. The day for political gamesmanship is long gone. I shall assemble competent men and women and young people from across Nigeria to build a safer, more prosperous and just Nigeria. There shall be young people. Women shall be prominent. Whether your faith leads you to pray in a church or mosque will not determine your place in government. Character and competence will.’’
The former governor of Lagos State noted that a fair and credible election was conducted and won while commenting on the presidential election, the conduct of which was also criticized by some. He also asserted the rights of contestants who were wronged to file a lawsuit.
He said, “A fair, credible election has been held and has been won. The honour of that victory and the steep responsibility it entails has fallen on me. I say this not to gloat or boast because there is no room for such behavior. I merely state the facts as they are. I realize many good and well-meaning Nigerians voted for other candidates. They are naturally disappointed that their favored candidate did not win. Other candidates have voiced their dissatisfaction, stating they will go to court to contest the election. This is inherent to the democratic process. We defend their right to seek legal recourse. While they exercise the legal rights afforded them in our democracy, I have set my course and mind on the leadership of this nation. We have important work to do and I am committed to getting that work done for the benefit of all the people, whether or not they voted for me or even voted at all.’’
Tinubu added that while bitterness and partisan accusation could elicit strong emotions, they were not the way to a stronger country. He said that the moment was not right for them.
The president-elect noted, “Only unity and national commitment can serve that purpose. Critics of Nigeria have been too quick to conclude that our political system is fragmented because of the impressive showing of new parties and their candidates. “These critics are wrong. The emergence of the new parties and their candidates underscores the dynamic strength of our democracy. People want democracy to work and they want to have their voices heard and interests met within it. This is a good thing to be promoted, not something to be feared,’
He asserts that Nigerians should be worried about the resurgence of old prejudices and bigotries, such as those based on ethnicity, creed, and country of origin, rather than the development of political parties.
Nigerians, he said, are better than this because they are a people who love God and their neighbor, and they must eventually choose whether to be seduced by the evils of the past or more bravely and nobly encouraged by the imminent prospect of a better future.
He added, “There have been times in our past when our governing institutions created more questions than they answered. But the arc of our political history gives me confidence that we can overcome that past. We have walked through the thick of the night to emerge into the light of brighter days to come. There is no good reason to retreat into the darkness of years past.’’
Pristine Network
- 2023-03-17 07:36:33
