Juliana Taiwo
27 February 2008
Abuja — President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has dedicated his victory at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal to Nigerians.
Speaking to governors, ministers, members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), top government functionaries and private sector individuals during a get-together at the Presidential Villa yesterday, the president said the verdict was a victory for democracy and the rule of law.
The president said he welcomed with humility and gratitude to God Almighty yesterday's affirmation of his election and that of his deputy at the tribunal.
The president told the excited members of the audience that the celebration was a victory for the country's democracy and the rule of law.
He also thanked his opponents for contributing to the development of democracy in the country.
The president said: "I will like first of all to praise God, the most gracious; the most merciful; the owner of praise; the owner of the day of judgment. After praising God I will like on behalf of myself and Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan thank all of you for your support and all Nigerians for their support.
"You are here today as brothers and sisters to celebrate and for us to celebrate the victory of democracy. Today's event is a victory for Nigeria's democracy and for the rule of law. "On such occasion, one must feel greatly humbled and also feel a great desire to recommit to the service of this great country."
He said with the verdict, all Nigerians, particularly the leaders owed it a duty to put heads together, cooperate and unite to face great challenges of transforming the country from an under-developed country to a modern, developed industrialised country capable of meeting the development and needs of all the citizens.
"I again extend my hand of fellowship, friendship and brotherhood to my brothers who are the petitioners in the case, to join hands with me and the vice-president to continue to do what we know best; that is to serve the people of this country selflessly and diligently," he said.
Yar'Adua also thanked all Nigerians who he said had remained steadfast in their support for his administration and reaffirmed his total commitment to serving Nigeria to the best of his abilities.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to working with all stakeholders to fully address the problems associated with past elections in the country and achieve a positive reformation of Nigeria's electoral system that would ensure that the problems do not recur.
Jonathan described the verdict as a clear victory for not only the Federal Government and the PDP, but for the Nigerian people.
He said it was a resounding victory in favour of President Yar'Adua and himself that further justifies the faith Nigerians continue to place on the administration.
"Today is an important day in our history as a country, and we thank Nigerians for keeping faith with the administration, we thank the Almighty God for this judgment, and we reiterate our resolve to ensure good governance and maintain the stability of the nation."
He called on all political parties in the country to join hands with the administration to fashion out a path of mutual trust and unity of purpose.
In his remark at the impromptu celebration, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, said the event was put together for the leaders to express their collective joy and satisfaction with the judicial confirmation.
"Mr. President today is our day; today is the day for all Nigerians, but above all, today is your day not only as an individual but also in the sense that today all that you stand for in governance have been validated and vindicated. These are your principles of constitutionalism, the rule of law, due process, transparency and accountability," he stated amidst cheers.
Kingibe said in the nine months that the President held sway in the country, he had left no one in doubt as to his determination to make a difference in the country's governance.
He said: "we applaud you Mr. President. We are proud of you and we are proud of the work of restoration, of the respect, dignity and credibility to Nigerians and Nigeria that you are doing."
The Speaker of the House of Representative, Hon. Dimeji Bankole; the sacked Adamawa and Kogi governors, Murtala Nyako, Ibrahim Idris; former Delta State governor, Chief James Ibori, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Mr. Wale Babalakin (SAN) were at the villa for the celebration.
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