Date: 2015-03-31

As the polling figures poured in from across the country, after many years of heeding the clamour and cries for 'Change' across the country has finally become a reality with the formal announcement by INEC declaring General Muhammadu Buhari will serve as the next President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

I congratulate General Buhari on this historical and unprecedented victory, and urge him to view this triumph as the will of God, translated through the resilience of the people. I call on General Buhari to be magnanimous in victory and use his unique stature as a statesman to reunite the country and heal whatever, crack that maybe in the political demography due to the electioneering process.

I also congratulate President Goodluck Jonathan, and the People's Democratic Party (PDP), for a keenly contested race. The President has no doubt earned his place indelibly, in the history of the country. Nigerians home and abroad have spoken in an unmistakable terms that Nigeria's unity is guaranteed and that the people's will must remain the compass for attaining power and exercising constitutional authority. Undoubtedly, this victory belongs to all Nigerians and we all look forward to a more inclusive government, where all Nigerians irrespective of their party, religious or ethnic leaning will freely without hindrance contribute to the new government that will take office on May 29th, 2015.

The election of 28th of March marks the beginning of a new chapter in our country's democratic history. As we turn the pages, with the emergence of General Buhari as our next President, I want every Nigerian to know: "This is your victory." This is your victory because many of you have waited for a day like this, when your votes would truly matter – when your efforts would truly count. That day has finally come. We have shown that though we may disagree on the way to the road to get to the promise land we have shown that our differences will not tear us apart. That though we are of different religion, tongues and tribe, we are first and foremost Nigerians and will remain so through thick and thin.

Nigerians, this is your victory. All those who believe in inclusive equitable and prosperous Nigeria this victory is yours. This is the victory for all Nigerians of principle who like some of us want to see a new Nigeria where government serves not just the interest of a select few, but rather dedicated to uplifting the lots of the teeming masses irrespective of tribe, religion or party. That change has come.

This is our collective victory. There is no victor no vanquished. Starting today; the democratic principle of "Of the people, for the people, by the people" is finally enthroned. Everyone must benefit from the dividends of democracy. This General Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress government will ensure that this is the case.

To those Nigerians who stood in line, braved the weather, and waited behind to cast their ballots, count their votes and protect their votes, you must celebrate yourselves. You are the champions of this democracy. You are all the lifeblood of this great nation of ours. We promise you: "Change has come!"

No doubt, our nation must undergo a political recuperation process, having been torn along political, religious, and ethnic lines over the past few years. General Buhari has an enormous task cutout for him.

Again, our work is only beginning. I reiterate: this is a new chapter – therefore, the work starts now. I enjoin every Nigerian, regardless of what divide of our numerous political divides that they stand on, to join us in working to establish a stronger, and more united Nigeria.

God bless you, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.