IBB: I’m happy Tinubu is elected president in my lifetime — he is the man for the job

Ibrahim Babangida, former head of state, says he is happy that Bola Tinubu is elected president in his lifetime.

On Wednesday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Tinubu as the winner of the election that was held on Saturday.

Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said Tinubu secured 8,794,726 votes.

Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had the second-highest figure with 6,984,520 votes, while Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) was next with 6,101,533 votes.

In a statement issued by his media office, Babangida said Tinubu would usher in a new dawn for the country.

He said the president-elect has the qualities to take the country “to the next level”.

“It is a thing of joy that this is happening in my lifetime. I can confidently say that Tinubu is a good man for the job,” he said.

“I have no doubt that Tinubu would perform as the President of Nigeria. For some of us who have been there before, I know that there is still more work to be done and I believe that Tinubu has what it takes to take Nigeria to the next level.

“We have much potential as a nation. What we need is a good direction so that we can continue to be seen as the giant of Africa. Indeed our best is yet to come but we can get to where we ought to be with determination and commitment.

“This is a bright moment for Nigeria. We have to take our destiny into our hands and make things work for us as a nation. We cannot continue to do things the same way and I believe that God will make things work for this country again because a new dawn has come for Nigeria.”