President-elect Bola Tinubu has promised not to disappoint Nigerians, saying he understands the magnitude of the task ahead as he prepares to take on the mantle of leadership.
Tinubu made the promise in his acceptance speech after he was conferred with the National Honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.
The former governor of Lagos was declared the winner of the February 25 presidential election after defeating Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP). He will be sworn in as the 16th Nigeria’s president on May 29, 2023.
Speaking after receiving the honour in Abuja, Tinubu told President Muhammdu Buhari to “expect knocks” on his door.
“I understand the honour given to me today and the magnitude of the task ahead; whether you go to Daura or Niger Republic, expect knocks on your doors,” he said.
He also praised the outgoing president for honouring the late MKO Abiola, the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election.
“President Buhari, you have shown courage in taking tough decisions others avoided One such decision was to recognize the injustice of the annulment of the 1993 election, to designate June 12 as Democracy Day, and to bestow the nation’s highest honour on the late MKO Abiola,” Tinubu said.
“As much as anyone could, you reached back into history to set the record straight and heal a festering wound. The justice you did in this matter lends special meaning to today.
“I am a simple man who is the beneficiary of the support and goodwill of the people of Nigeria. The people have put their trust in us. You have done your part Mr. President.
“Now, that great duty descends on me. I understand the meaning of the honour given to me today and of the task that awaits.
“I must run this race and must do it well. On security, the economy, agriculture, jobs, education, health and power and in all other sectors we must make headway. The people deserve no less. In this, I shall disappoint neither them nor you, Mr. President.”
Thursday’s conferment makes Tinubu the 16th person to hold the GCFR Honour.
Those before him are Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Shehu Shagari, Olusegun Obasanjo, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Ibrahim Babangida, Ernest Shonekan, Sani Abacha, Moshood Abiola, Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan.
Others who have been conferred with the title include British Monarch Queen Elizabeth II, South Africa’s Nelson Mandela and former Libyan Leader, Muammar Gaddafi.
Buhari also conferred vice president-elect Kashim Shettima. with the honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger.
