Nigerians United for Democracy (NUD) has described last weekend’s emergence of retired General Muhammadu Buhari as the country’s new President as victory for all Nigerians.

The group, in a statement signed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Femi Falana and Jibrin Ibrahim, Ph.D, co-conveners of NUD, also congratulated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the leadership of Professor Atahiru Jega “for carefully navigating the turbulence and sensitive electoral process in the presidential and National Assembly elections.”

It noted that in spite of the enormous challenges faced by INEC the Nigerian people exhibited exceptional understanding, patience and resilience in ensuring that the election was successfully concluded.

“We recognise that this victory truly belongs to the Nigerian people. In particular, we It would be recalled that it was the failure of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) to withstand and resist similar pressure mounted by the defunct military junta in 1993 that plunged the country into monumental, political and socio-economic turmoil,” NUD said.

The group also acknowledged the congratulatory message already extended by President Goodluck Jonathan to his General Buhari.

“We are compelled to draw the attention of certain elements who have threatened to sabotage the democratic process and subvert the sovereign will of the Nigerian people,” it stated.

In view of the forthcoming Governorship and House of Assembly elections, NUD called on INEC to take stock and correct the lapses identified during the last elections.

“For the umpteenth time, we call on President Goodluck Jonathan to desist from militarising the electoral process by deploying armed troops to ‘maintain’ law and order contrary to subsisting and binding judgments of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal. NUD therefore implores the Nigerian people to remain vigilant and committed to the struggle for genuine democracy and social justice,” the statement said.

•Photo shows Buhari.

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