Uhuru Kenyatta, former president
of Kenya, has advised Bola Tinubu, president-elect, to “overhaul” any
“adversarial mindset” and reach out to those aggrieved by the results of the
presidential poll to build a more unified Nigeria.
According to NAN, Kenyatta spoke
on Saturday while delivering his speech as a guest speaker at the inaugural
lecture preceding the swearing in of Tinubu as president of Nigeria.
He advised the president-elect to
ensure his leadership encompassed all citizens, regardless of whether or not
they supported him during the election process.
The former president of Kenya
said Tinubu must surround himself with voices that challenge his own, adding
that he will “lose nothing and gain everything by reaching out across the political,
ethnic and religious lines”.
“The contest is now over. And the hard work of
building a prosperous and unified Nigeria now begins,” Uhuru said.
“Upon assuming the office of
president, you would be wise to transcend from the tactical politics of an
election and assume your role as Nigeria’s vision bearer. This will demand a
complete overhaul of the adversarial mindset that we, as politicians, are
conditioned to embrace during the electoral process.
“As president, you must learn
very quickly to lead those who do not love you and those who love you with
equal passion and commitment because you are now the father of all.
“Your Excellency, when countries are in
election mode, the people and their leaders are more divided than ever and
boxed into their various sectarian and partisan interests. However, when you
are the head of state and you take command of the country’s armed forces, you
become the embodiment of the sum total of the many different ethnic groups and
religions that make up your country, and you become the symbol of unity.
Indeed, you have become the face of Nigeria.
“I encourage you to surround
yourself with the voices of those who will counterbalance the hardliners that
feel entitled to a piece of your office. You will lose nothing and gain
everything by reaching out across the political, ethnic and religious lines.
“To those who may feel aggrieved
by your victory in one way or another, please allow them to exhale and be part
of your vision for a greater Nigeria.
“It is my hope and my prayer that
the lessons from across the continent will give you the resolve to walk the
difficult path of overcoming those three enemies.
“I started by mentioning the three enemies of
nationhood negative ethnicity, religious discrimination and corruption. As your
fellow African, I look forward to a Nigeria that emerges from this transition,
ready to flex and fight for its rightful place on the global stage with both
hands at the ready.”
Tinubu was declared the winner of
the presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC), and he’s billed to be sworn into office on May 29.
However, major opposition parties
during the election have gone to court to challenge the outcome of the
election.
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