Buhari’s victory: Obasanjo, Atiku, others rejoice as jubilant crowd take over APC secretariat

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has congratulated president-elect, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari.
He urged him to fight corruption and carry out reforms in various sectors.
The congratulatory message was issued in Abeokuta on Tuesday.
Obasanjo said: “With so much harm already done to many national institutions, including the military, which proudly nurtured you and me, you will have a lot to do on institution reform – education, healthcare, economy, security, infrastructure, power, youth employment, agri-business, oil and gas, external affairs, cohesiveness of our nation and ridding our land of corruption.
“Your varied and wide experience will undoubtedly stand you in good stead. The country is blessed with men and women of goodwill, character and virtue across the board that you can mobilise to join hands with you in the reform, repairs and re-direction that will be imperative to put Nigeria back on the fast lane of good governance, unity, cohesiveness, development and progress.
“For me, the totality of 2015 elections hold many lessons for our democracy and democratisation process, which are both maturing. On this occasion, the system has been unnecessarily overheated before and particularly during the campaigns when emphasis was more on trivialities and hate, divisive, undignifying and disrespectful statements and comments rather than on pressing issues requiring attention.
“I know that in victory, you will be magnanimous to start binding the wounds and bitterness occasioned by the campaign and the evil disciples.”
Also, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar congratulated Buhari.
He said: “My hearty congratulations to His Excellency, General Muhammadu Buhari, for being elected the next president of our beloved county, Nigeria. You have led our party, the All Progressives Congress to an unprecedented victory within two years of its official formation, and in so doing, written the most important chapter of our democracy.
“The great Nnamdi Azikiwe once wrote that “history will continue to vindicate the just.” Your victory in the polls, with votes from across the length and breadth of our country, bears witness to the acceptance of not just our party, the APC, but also your ideology of justice, fair play and zero tolerance for corruption as the bedrock for national rebirth.
“At this historic moment, it is most important to say a hearty thank you to every Nigerian who voted for the APC. Your votes have not just elected the first opposition party into federal power, but has also set a precedent which will have positive implications for democracy across Africa.
“Dear GMB, the journey has just begun. Millions of Nigerians have put their trust in you, because they were not satisfied with the status quo. You represent the hope of a new generation of Nigerians, and you cannot afford to fail them. Our party has made a promise of change to our young people, to secure and rebuild our country, create jobs and opportunity, and improve citizens’ welfare. We will stand behind you to ensure we keep those promises, just like we did during these elections.
“Our country needs a new direction. We have voted for you, and our party won the election, but when you assume our highest office, you must become the president of not just the APC, but all of Nigeria, including the people who did not vote for you. We look up to you to heal the fractures of our country, and truly unite this country like never before.
“To President Jonathan, I want to specially thank you for conducting a historic election. Your party may have lost the elections, but you have won the admiration of the world by not interfering with the wishes of Nigerians. History will be kind to you. It is my sincere hope that we will all come together as one country, to build the Nigeria of our dreams”.
Kwara State governor, Alhaji AbdulFattah Ahmed, congratulated Buhari on his success at the polls.
Ahmed said: “I congratulate and wish you success in the job of building a truly united and prosperous Nigeria.
“I also congratulate Nigerians for standing up for change and using their votes to bring about the leadership with the capacity to uplift the country and it’s people.”
Meanwhile, jubilant crowd, on Tuesday night, took over major streets in the country to jubilate.
At the APC headquarters in Abuja, the celebrants numbering over 2,000 danced round the office chanting victory songs.
Various dance groups, traditional drummers, well wishers and party chieftains exchanged pleasantries for the party’s victory at the polls.
Some of the groups chanted with Buhari’s name describing him as the needed change.
No fewer than 100 journalists comprising local and international media were also at the party’s secretariat waiting to receive Buhari.
Security agents, including men of the Department of State Security Service (DSS) and the Police were seen at strategic positions within and outside the secretariat to ensure security.
Senator Kabiru Gaya said that the victory called for celebration since it was happening in the country’s democracy for the first time.
“We thank God almighty for the opportunity given to us to have a good transition in this democratic era; I now believe that democracy is here to stay.
“We have been shifting from one party to the other but now I think there will stability; I hope Nigerians will accept this change in good fate for good things to come.
“The people have decided who they want and it is Buhari; we hope that he can make changes in this new dispensation,’’ Gaya said.
Another set of jubilant crowd blocked the T-junction close to the AP Plaza on the Adetokumbo Ademola way, Wuse II, Abuja, chanting APC slogans.
It was the same situation in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital Tuesday night.
Youths, in their hundreds, took over major streets, singing, dancing and playing Buhari songs.
In major streets of Ibadan, Oyo State, youths were seen celebrating in carnival-like manner.
They shouted “Buhari’s victory is not for Buhari alone but for all Nigerians”.