Nigeria’s President-elect, Bola Tinubu, relocated to the Defence Guest House in the Maitama District of Abuja on Thursday. He will operate from this location until his inauguration as President on May 29, 2023. The All Progressives’ Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council announced via a tweet that Tinubu would spend the next couple of months at the Defence House before moving into the Presidential Villa. This announcement came just a day after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Tinubu the winner of the February 25 presidential election, and he received his Certificate of Return from INEC on Wednesday. From the Defence House, Tinubu will conduct briefings and hold important meetings as President-elect.
In a conversation with our correspondent, Festus Keyamo, the spokesperson for the APC PCC, stated that he could not confirm the exact time Tinubu moved into his new residence. This practice is not unprecedented; the current President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), also stayed at the Defence House prior to his inauguration on May 29, 2015, before moving into the Aso Rock Villa.
On the same day, Tinubu pledged to hit the ground running from his first day in office, emphasizing his commitment to fulfilling his campaign promises. He assured that his administration would be guided by the rule of law, justice, and fairness, and he expressed his intention to run an inclusive government that would unite all Nigerians. Tinubu made these statements during a meeting with members of the National Working Committee of the APC, who visited him in Abuja around 2:35 PM to congratulate him on his victory. The delegation included notable figures such as the National Chairman of the APC, Senator Adamu Abdullahi; National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel; Deputy National Women Leader, Zainab Ibrahim; Vice Chairman (North-East), Salihu Lukman; and National Secretary, Iyiola Omisore.
Addressing the challenges of electioneering in the country, Tinubu reflected on his tough campaign, which was focused on issues right from his bid for the APC’s ticket. He stated, “It is going to be a fair government guided by the rule of law, justice, and fairness. It is going to be hard work from day one, and we are going to join hands in building a government of the people and by the people.” He reiterated his strong commitment to uniting the country, promising to be a President for all Nigerians. After receiving his Certificate of Return from INEC, he felt a renewed sense of responsibility and pledged to dedicate his victory to the cause of national unity. “I am committed to uniting the country. Definitely, in any contest, particularly a democratic contest, there must be losers and winners,” he remarked.
Tinubu also expressed gratitude to the party leadership for their commitment and courage in leading the APC to victory against the odds. Earlier, Adamu noted that while transition elections are typically challenging for ruling parties, the APC’s victory had been anticipated. He explained that the APC National Working Committee came to show their support for the President-elect and congratulate him on his success.
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