Richard Anyebe
Former President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday, charged Nigeria’s President-elect, Bola Tinubu to be a uniting force in the country.
Kenyatta gave the charge in Abuja during the presidential inauguration lecture ahead of Tinubu’s swearing-in.
He argues that the onus now lies on Tinubu to unite every Nigerian irrespective of religion, tribe, political and other affiliations now that the elections are over.
“The contest is now over and the hard work of building a prosperous and unified Nigeria now begins,” he said as a keynote speaker during the event.
“Upon assuming the office of president, you would be wise to transcend from the tactical politics of an election and assume your role as Nigeria’s vision bearer.
“This will demand a complete overhaul of the adversarial mindset that we as politicians are conditioned to embrace during the electoral process.
“As president, you must learn very quickly to lead those who love you and those who don’t with equal passion and commitment because now, you are the father of all.”
While the elections may have divided the country, the ex-Kenyan leader urged Tinubu to see himself as the “symbol of unity” meaning he should reach out to the opposition.
“You would lose nothing and gain everything by reaching out across the political, ethnic, and religious lines to those who may feel aggrieved by your victory in one way or another,” Kenyatta said. “Please, allow them to exhale and be part of your vision for a greater Nigeria.”
According to Kenyatta, some of the enemies of nationhood are ethnicity, religious discrimination, and corruption.
He expressed optimism that the lessons from the continent will give Tinubu the courage to overcome them.
“As your fellow African, I look forward to a Nigeria that emerges from this transition ready to flex and fight for its rightful place on the global stage with both hands,” the former Kenyan leader said.
Meanwhile, Kanyi Daily reported that the Nigerian Senate on Saturday convened an emergency session just two days to the presidential inauguration.
