The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Friday morning, urged all Nigerians to continue to be confident in the country for better seasons ahead.
Buhari urged Nigerians who are aggrieved by the outcome of the February 25 and March 18 elections to “wait patiently and allow our legal system to run its course.”
The President also said he had been guided by the vows he took to keep Nigeria united and prosperous and counted it a “rare privilege” to be elected twice, in 2015 and 2019.
He said this in his last Easter Day message to citizens as President.
Describing Easter as a season commemorating the triumph of light over darkness, the President said “I join Christians in Nigeria and around the world to celebrate Easter, which commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, signposting his victory over death.
“It is a season that reminds us that the Almighty can turn an unpleasant situation around for good.
“Recognising that Easter is about renewed hope and a glorious future, I urge all Nigerians to continue to be confident and believe strongly in our country for better seasons ahead.”
He commended Nigerians for believing in the electoral process that produced the next set of leaders at the federal and State levels.
However, he noted disgruntled sections of the electorate, urging them to allow justice to prevail at the courts.
“While I congratulate those that have been elected, I acknowledge that it is the right of those who feel dissatisfied with the outcome to seek redress.
“I expect them to wait patiently and allow our legal system to run its course,” Buhari said.
He said it had been a rare privilege to serve as President since Nigerians gave him the first mandate in 2015 and renewed it in 2019.
He noted that his regime’s successes in security, economy, infrastructure, new oil frontier basins, landmark legal reforms as well as food sufficiency, among others, were possible because of the support of Nigerians who enabled him to honour his vows to keep the country united, prosperous and secure.
“As we celebrate this season with our families, neighbours and communities, let us do so in love, compassion, kindness, resilience and forgiveness,” he said.