Uhuru Kenyatta, former president of Kenya, has advised Bola Tinubu, president-elect, to “overhaul” any “adversarial mindset” and reach out to those aggrieved by the results of the presidential poll to build a more unified Nigeria.

According to NAN, Kenyatta spoke on Saturday while delivering his speech as a guest speaker at the inaugural lecture preceding the swearing in of Tinubu as president of Nigeria.

He advised the president-elect to ensure his leadership encompassed all citizens, regardless of whether or not they supported him during the election process.

The former president of Kenya said Tinubu must surround himself with voices that challenge his own, adding that he will “lose nothing and gain everything by reaching out across the political, ethnic and religious lines”.

“The contest is now over. And the hard work of building a prosperous and unified Nigeria now begins,” Uhuru said.

“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 do not love you and those who love you with equal passion and commitment because you are now the father of all.

“Your Excellency, when countries are in election mode, the people and their leaders are more divided than ever and boxed into their various sectarian and partisan interests. However, when you are the head of state and you take command of the country’s armed forces, you become the embodiment of the sum total of the many different ethnic groups and religions that make up your country, and you become the symbol of unity. Indeed, you have become the face of Nigeria.

“I encourage you to surround yourself with the voices of those who will counterbalance the hardliners that feel entitled to a piece of your office. You will 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, please allow them to exhale and be part of your vision for a greater Nigeria.

“It is my hope and my prayer that the lessons from across the continent will give you the resolve to walk the difficult path of overcoming those three enemies.

“I started by mentioning the three enemies of nationhood negative ethnicity, religious discrimination and corruption. 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 at the ready.”

Tinubu was declared the winner of the presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and he’s billed to be sworn into office on May 29.

However, major opposition parties during the election have gone to court to challenge the outcome of the election.

orion7:
Father of who. Abeg o

seunmsg:
What we are seeing is beyond political grievances. We have a particular ethnic group that are angry about the ethnicity of the incoming president and nothing else. Nothing can appease them except the head of Tinubu. Simply put, they are too full of hatred to be appeased. We will just mange them Witt their hatred for another 4 years.

yarimo:
Among the aggrieved one is already on his way to Dubai till 2027 election again, while the other one was caught trying to run away from Nigeria

Acekidc4:
Tinubu Oko Iya won will definitely do that.............but some people can be hateful Sha!!

seunmsg:
What we are seeing is beyond political grievances. We have a particular ethnic group that are angry about the ethnicity of the incoming president and nothing else. Nothing can appease them except the head of Tinubu. Simply put, they are too full of hatred to be appeased. We will just mange them Witt their hatred for another 4 years.

blackslayer:
Reach out to others ko! This one is speaking in tongues!

beerfraud:
Obidients go dey alright las las
Or else Python will dance in their Domot

taylor89:


Long live to who? Tinubu?🤣🤣🤣

Person wey go soon quench

You can’t eat your cake and have it

Cocaine and Heroin effect is already telling on him

If he manage last reach December make he thank God