Following his victory at the February 25 Presidential election, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has urged the President-Elect, Bola Tinubu, to transform Nigeria.
Tinubu polled 8,794,726 votes in 12 of Nigeria’s 36 states, almost two million votes more than his closest rival, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to emerge winner of the keenly contested election.
In a congratulatory message by the Council’s Deputy Secretary-General, Professor Salisu Shehu, called on Tinubu to be righteous in the discharge of his responsibility when he is sworn in as the President on May 25.
“We urge you, upon assumption of office, to put in place policies and measures that would lead to the large-scale transformation of our country’s economy, security, social infrastructure, and human capital development,” Shehu stated.
The Council said it was not surprised by the outcome of the election in view of Tinubu’s “track records in public service, decades of hard work, selflessness, sacrifice, unflagging commitment and dedication to the Nigerian project.”
“In addition, Your Excellency, you are a very experienced human and financial resources manager, a hunter of talents and an enabler of men and women. You are sui generis among your peers in the encouragement that you constantly give to the Nigerian youths to offer their best in the service of our country.
“Consequently, the Council is confident that you would bring to bear your wealth of experience in assembling an all-inclusive team of experts in the administration of our country in a way that would foster unity and peace as well as engender sustainable development that we all crave. Justice is considered as the hallmark of leadership and a non-negotiable requirement of Islam.
“We would like to remind you that as a Muslim in a position of authority, leadership is trust and a lot will also be expected from and demanded of you by the people of this great country. We, therefore, urge Your Excellency to continue to be good, truthful, honest, fair, transparent, disciplined, prayerful and righteous in the discharge of the duties Allah has entrusted to you because every opportunity is for an appointed term. You can always count on the support and prayers of the NSCIA in this respect,” Shehu added.
