Buhari, Tinubu, Sultan urge unity, cooperation

The President Muhammadu Buhari He urged Nigerians to give maximum cooperation to the incoming administration for the May 29 presidential inauguration.

Mr. Buhari, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mustapha Boss, expressed his commitment to a united Nigeria.

The President spoke on Friday at a public address and a special Jumma’at prayer at the National Mosque in Abuja as part of activities to mark the inauguration of the 2023 presidency.

“The elections have come and gone; another set of leaders has been democratically elected to rule our beloved country. It is our duty to give them all the necessary cooperation so that they can deliver the plans to make Nigeria the country of our dreams,” he said.

The president said his administration had laid a solid foundation for the country’s infrastructural development.

“A solid foundation has been laid in the last eight years for successive administrations to build on,” Mr. Buhari said.

He commended the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, for his support and cooperation throughout the administration.

Also at the event, President-elect Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shetima, assured Nigerian women of greater representation in the presidency.

“There are some positions that the president, in the new administration, will take by the grace of God, but in the fullness of time, Nigerians will not only come to appreciate us, but also to celebrate us.

“My sisters, it is certain that you will be well represented in the incoming administration. You will not only be represented, you will be well compensated,” Mr. Tinubu said.

However, he said at the meeting that the incoming administration would take into account the lessons and experiences of leadership.

“Whether we admit it or not, we will spend more years of our lives out of power than in power. So, by the grace of God, I assure you that he will do justice to all Nigerians regardless of differences of religion or political affiliations, tribal or sectional origins,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the Sultan of Sokoto and chairman of the occasion called on all Nigerians to build a lasting and united front to ensure lasting peace and harmony across the country.

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“We should all work together to bring us all to contribute positively to the development of this great country. We should also work to strengthen our diversity so that we can live together in peace and live as one big family.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event concluded with a special two raka’at congregational prayer ahead of the May 29 Inauguration of the President.
The dignitaries who attended the special prayers are the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawal, the Murshid of the National Mosque, Shehu Galadanci, the Permanent Secretary to the State House, Tijjani Umar and Etsu Nupe Yahaya Abubakar.

These include the wife of the Vice President-elect, Nana Shettima, and the Special Assistant to the President of the African First Ladies Peace Mission, Mairo Al-Makura, among others. (ID)