Damaturu – Alhaji Hassan Yusuf, former Presidential candidate of the defunct Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in the Second Republic has said that the victory of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) in the Presidential election has enhanced national unity.
Yusuf made the statement in Damaturu at public lecture and prayers, organised by some youth in the North East, in honour of the President-elect, Gen. Buhari.
He said over the years, Nigerians had been yearning for transparent elections, adding that “the just concluded Presidential election has satisfied the aspirations of Nigerians.”
“Immediately the Returning Officer announced the result of the 2015 presidential election, the quality of national discourse among Nigerians, especially the youth, improved.
“Nigerians embraced themselves more than ever before, irrespective of tribe, religion or political inclination because the spirit of nationhood had been rekindled,” he said.
He called on Nigerians to eschew bitterness occasioned by long period of electioneering campaigns, and embark on the onerous task of making the country great.
The elder-statesman also commended President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat, adding that “by that single act, Jonathan has strengthened the democratic culture in Nigeria.”
He also applauded INEC for introducing Smart Card Readers, which enhanced the credibility of the electoral process in the country.
Yusuf, however, urged Gen. Buhari to fulfil his campaign promises, just as he appealed to Nigerians to be patience and pray for Buhari to succeed.
In his speech, the Chief Imam of Damaturu Central Mosques, Malam Hudu Muhammed preached peace, tolerance and understanding among Nigerians.
Muhammed called on public office holders to rise above personal interest, with a view to providing responsible leadership that would reduce poverty in the country.
Alhaji Dauda Mohammed, Executive Director, Youth Initiative Forum (NEYIF), appealed to the President-elect, to seek for the assistance of the International Community to rebuild the North East region.
“We have lost our properties worth billions of Naira; many of us have been rendered homeless and jobless as a result of the activities of Boko-Haram, and therefore need to be assisted” he pleaded.