Nigeria's former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his victory at the presidential election.
In a statement he personally signed on Saturday, General Babangida observed that, the electioneering campaign was very strenuous and the contest very keen.
“That despite the turbulent terrain of politics, the President submitted and subjected himself to this process, indeed is a clear testimony that he believes in the democratic process and ideals.
While expressing regrets on the loss of lives that occurred during the election, the former President urged President Buhari to embrace those who contested with him in the election.
“The newly elected President should heal the wounds of the heated campaign exchanges by embracing those who contested alongside with him.
The President must resist the temptation to see them as enemies; not even opponents, but fellow compatriots who merely disagreed with him on how best to move our country forward.”
Continuing, General Babangida stated that “the economy of the country must also occupy the President’s urgent attention. There is the need to be more creative in formulating policies that will improve the nation’s economy, create employment opportunities and give hope to our teaming youths.”
He went on that “the President may wish to heed to the yearnings of reasonable Nigerians for restructuring and seek all constitutional means to devolve some powers presently exercised by the Federal Government to the other tiers of government.”
He lauded the Peoples Democratic Party's candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for his doggedness despite his loss at the poll.
General Babangida said, “I was particularly impressed with the gallant and audacious spirit of the main challenger in the presidential race, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar GCON.
“I was not surprised that even though he lost the most exotic position of the land, his doggedness and pattern of support cut across ethnic, religious and regional lines that earned him the second position of the last Presidential election.”
He called on the former vice president to close ranks and work with the winner of the election in an objective and constructive manner. This, he said was necessary to ensure that democracy would continue to thrive in the country, especially at this crucial period.
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