By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Former Military Governor of Kwara State, Chief Salaudeen Adebola Aliyu Latinwo, has described the victory of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the poll as a manifestation of people’s willful choice, notwithstanding several failed attempts to cause widespread disaffection against the backdrop of his emergence as the party’s standard bearer.
While Felicity ting Tinubu on his victory at the just concluded presidential election, Latinwo, in a statement he personally signed and made available to Journalists in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, from the United Kingdom, described the victory of the former Lagos State Governor in the keenly contested poll as fati accompli.
He, therefore, urged Tinubu’s major contenders in the race, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), to accept the outcome of the election that produced the President-elect in good faith.
The ex-Military Administrator said the opponents are expected to be gracious in defeat while the winner should also be seen exhibiting magnanimity in victory.
He hailed Nigerians for ensuring peaceful conduct of the election in spite of pockets of hiccups, adding that the successful conduct of the polls had proved the doomsayers wrong.
“I congratulate our President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his triumph. It is indeed victory for every Nigerian regardless of faith and ethnic inclination. The emergence of Tinubu in this just concluded presidential election is a manifestation of people’s choice.
“Notwithstanding several failed attempts to cause widespread disaffection against the backdrop of his emergence as the presidential flag-bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC). I think some lessons have been served well in this election.
“So, those who still harbour one grievance or the other should know that majority of the voting populace have spoken. The beautiful thing about the election is that it truly reflects the choice of the people, and this could be seen in the voting pattern.
“In a situation like this, the winner should show magnanimity while those who suffered defeat should be gracious enough to accept the outcome of the election as the will of God. They must realise that ultimately Nigerians are winners and they must be ready to work together with the President-elect to address many challenges staring us in the face”, Latinwo said.
The former military governor, who commended Kwarans for their peaceful conduct in the last election, admonished them to demonstrate same in the March 11 gubernatorial and State House of Assembly polls for the APC.