ABUJA – The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has congratulated president-elect, retired Gen. Muhammadu Buhari on his victory at the March 28 presidential election.
In a congratulatory message yesterday in Abuja, the NBA President, Mr Augustine Alegeh, wished Buhari a very successful and peaceful tenure.
“We wish him God’s blessings and protection as he undertakes the onerous mandate of running the affairs of Nigeria for the next four years.
“We trust that he will take steps to fulfill and actualise the promises which secured the mandate of Nigerians. We wish him a very successful and peaceful tenure.
“We urge him to be a president to all Nigerians irrespective of political affiliations as this would be in the best interest of our democracy.’’
The NBA also noted the prompt and dignified acceptance of defeat by President Goodluck Jonathan while the results were still being collated.
“This singular act, apart from being in line with the best democratic practices in the world, has further elevated his status as a statesman and true democrat.
“He, most importantly, put Nigeria first and succeeded in diffusing the tension that had enveloped the whole country.’’
The NBA also congratulated INEC for successfully conducting what it described as one of the most competitive elections in the annals of Nigeria’s political history.
It urged INEC to be guided by the experience of the elections to resolve some problems which arose from the poll before the Governorship and House of Assembly elections scheduled for April 11.
The NBA expressed the hope that the maturity exhibited by candidates of the two leading political parties – APC and PDP would continue during the transition period.